There are players on the Houston Texans who could have used the in-game experience that the preseason brings.
The NFL for the 2020 season will be different than any of us are used to, but for players, it will be different as well as training camps are sure to change, fewer fans will be around and there will be no preseason games to help players have an extra way to earn a roster spot.
That brings us to the Texans and players on their roster who could really use the upcoming preseason to earn a way onto the roster, and not only that, to earn a possible spot in the starting lineup.
The main roles within the offense and defense are set, and players like Deshaun Watson, David Johnson, J.J. Watt, Whitney Mercilus and Laremy Tunsil are just a few players who don’t need the preseason, but what about some of the younger players, or players new to the team who don’t have everything set in stone?
One thing that is a positive is there are players who will still be a part of NFL organizations because this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, teams can have a 16-player practice squad, which will give players another opportunity to stay on with an NFL franchise.
Over at HoustonTexans.com, the website explained some of the changes made to the CBA this offseason:
"“The CBA adjustments include an allowance for 16-man practice squads, high-risk and general opt-outs of participation due to the pandemic (deadline date to be determined), and the absence of a preseason for 2020, according to League sources.”"
As for the Houston Texans and the preseason, they only had five players they drafted this past April, and they didn’t sign the usual number of undrafted rookie free agents, but this year without the help of preseason games against different opponents, some of those players aren’t going to get the same chance as usual to make the actual roster, but they do have extra spots available on the practice squad.
All in all, this offseason has been a change to the norm, and with the preseason not existing this year, the following players might have a tougher time to make the actual game day roster in 2020.
3. Isaiah Coulter, WR
If there is one spot that is jam-packed full of players capable of making an NFL roster is it the depth chart of the Houston Texans wide receivers. They have at least six players who are easily capable of making the roster this season, but that doesn’t even count a couple familiar names or fifth-round pick Isaiah Coulter.
One way or another, whether it be on the 55-man game day roster (teams get two extra players this season) or on the practice squad, the Texans need to make sure their fifth-round pick is in the building for the 2020 season.
That said, Coulter could have really used a preseason because of the fact he played at a small school in college (Rhode Island), and the snaps gained in the preseason and playing in in-game situations can’t be had in a training camp scrimmage.
In 34 games with Rhode Island, Coulter finished his collegiate career with 132 receptions (1,855 yards) and 12 touchdowns.
It is understandable why there will be no preseason games this year, and it was the right move, but having to compete in an already crowded depth chart at wide receiver, Coulter isn’t getting any favors by not having preseason games in his journey to make the Texans roster.
Charles Omenihu #94 of the Houston Texans
2. Charles Omenihu, DE
In his rookie year during the 2019 NFL season, Charles Omenihu of the Houston Texans played in 14 games, had no starts and totaled three sacks.
Also in that rookie season, Charles Omenihu collected five QB hits, eight solo tackles and two tackles for loss, and that was all in a total of 442 snaps played or 41 percent of the snaps taken by the Texans defense.
Omenihu also played in 12 percent of the special teams snaps by the Texans, but he is one of the second-year players who could really have used the time in the preseason games.
The second-year defensive end has a real opportunity to become a force in the NFL with each passing season, as the Texans defensive end is learning his craft by playing alongside one of the greatest ever to play the same spot, J.J. Watt.
OurLads.com has Omenihu playing behind Angelo Blackson at one of the two defensive end spots, so getting a chance to prove himself in the preseason slate really could have made a difference for him.
Again, the decision to skip the preseason was best for the greater good, but in football terms, if a player could have really used more snaps in an in-game situation, Omenihu is that player.
1. Kahale Warring, TE
Here is another crowded depth chart for the Houston Texans, and that includes former third-round pick Kahale Warring, because the tight end missed his entire rookie season due to a hamstring injury and then a concussion.
Warring really needed to play games in the preseason for the 2020 season because like the Texans at wide receiver, the tight end depth chart has talented players and veterans wanting to make the team as well.
How many tight ends will the Texans keep in 2020 … three to four, so that leaves Warring in a position battle with Darren Fells, Jordan Akins and Jordan Thomas, with the two Jordans also being past draft choices of head coach Bill O’Brien and the Texans.
Warring was placed on the season-ending IR on Sept. 2 last year and didn’t play a regular-season snap, so losing the preseason must be devastating for him. Losing snaps against some quality opponents might have been more important to him compared to most players on the Houston Texans roster.
Time will tell how much losing the preseason hurts Warring, but snaps in an in-game experience against opponents who aren’t teammates would have made a big difference for Warring and his hopes of earning a solid roster spot in the battle of tight ends that Texans have this training camp.