Texans Finalize 53-Man Active Roster
The NFL's 3 p.m. CT deadline for final roster cutdowns has come and gone.
The Houston Texans made some surprising moves Monday by waiving former team captain linebacker Christian Kirksey and 2018 First Team All-Pro Desmond King II, but they were diligent in keeping around some young talent that flashed during the preseason.
Headlining that young core are rookies quarterback C.J. Stroud, defensive end Will Anderson Jr. and wide receivers Tank Dell and Xavier Hutchinson.
Houston will still need to sort out who it will want to sign to its practice squad, in addition to making roster moves from players released by other teams, but the Texans' initial 53-man roster has been finalized.
Quarterback (3): C.J. Stroud, Davis Mills, Case Keenum
No surprise here that the Texans roll with three quarterbacks, especially with a rookie under center. While former USFL quarterback E.J. Perry played well in Houston's preseason finale, Keenum's experience and wisdom which can be imparted on Stroud add a lot of value to the room.
Running Back (4): Dameon Pierce, Mike Boone, Devin Singletary, Dare Ogunbowale
Mike Boone had a really solid preseason, capping it off with a spin-move-filled 11-yard touchdown run against the New Orleans Saints Sunday. He, Pierce and former rugby player Singletary provide a trio of hard runners that can all limit hits, while Ogunbowale feels more of a third-and-long running back — one that will pass block and be a checkdown option when necessary.
Wide Receiver (6): Robert Woods, Tank Dell, Xavier Hutchinson, Noah Brown, Nico Collins, John Metchie III
The Texans have a dichotomy of youth vs. experience in the wide receiver room. Woods and Brown are the cagey veterans of the room, while Collins, Dell, Hutchinson and Metchie are the up-and-comers. Regardless of age, the room boasts athleticism and pass-catching ability in space.
Tight End (3): Dalton Schultz, Brevin Jordan, Teagan Quitoriano
The tight end room might be one of the thinnest on the Texans' roster. Schultz has developed a relationship with Stroud in the preseason and will be a staple in the pass game, but the other three are more likely to be run-blocking tight ends when Houston uses two in the formation.
Full Back (1): Andrew Beck
The Texans kept around Beck after he spent four seasons with the Denver Broncos. In his career, he has 14 receptions, 159 yards and one touchdown as well as three yards on as many carries for a score.
Offensive Line (8): Laremy Tunsil, Tytus Howard, Shaq Mason, Juice Scruggs, Josh Jones, Kendrick Green, Jarrett Patterson, George Fant
The Texans were 19th in the NFL, allowing 38 sacks a season ago. They have a sound starting five but depth is where some question marks start to creep in, making the trade for Jones that much more logical. The Texans traded for Green Tuesday which bumped Jimmy Morrissey from his active roster spot.
The trade has not been finalized as Green is not currently listed on the active roster.
Defensive Line (9): Will Anderson Jr., Jonathan Greenard, Jerry Hughes, Dylan Horton, Sheldon Rankins, Maliek Collins, Hassan Ridgeway, Derek Rivers, Kurt Hinish
Anderson was, is, and will be the staple on the Texans' defensive line, getting after the quarterback like it was nobody's business in the preseason. Rankins and Collins combine for 615 pounds in the interior of Houston's defensive line and will have to improve at the point of attack after the Texans' defense allowed 5.1 yards per carry in 2022, which was fourth-most in the NFL.
Linebacker (6): Blake Cashman, Denzel Perryman, Christian Harris, Henry To'oTo'to, Jake Hansen, Neville Hewitt
To'oTo'to was praised by his teammates and coaches for his growth throughout the preseason, providing depth behind linebacker staples Cashman, Perryman and Harris.
Cornerback (5): Derek Stingley Jr., Steven Nelson, Tavierre Thomas, Ka'Dar Hollman, Shaquill Griffin
Stingley was limited to just nine games in his rookie season in 2022, hampered by injuries, but intercepted one pass and broke up four others.
Safety (5): Jalen Pitre, Jimmie Ward, Eric Murray, M.J. Stewart, Grayland Arnold
On a relatively young team, this is one of the most veteran groups on the roster with three players (Stewart, Murray, and Ward) with at least six years of NFL experience. Pitre starred in his rookie season, recording team-highs 147 tackles and five interceptions.
Kicker (1): Ka'imi Fairbairn
Punter (1): Cameron Johnston
Long Snapper (1): Jon Weeks
Fairbairn returns for his seventh season, looking to maintain his career-best 93.5 field goal percentage, going 6-for-6 from beyond 50 yards. Johnston tied his career best punting average at 48.1 yards per boot in 2022, and Weeks is one of the longest-tenured long snappers in the NFL.
