How Houston Texans OTAs bring big energy and early surprises
REVAMPED OFFENSE ON DISPLAY
28 May
CJ Stroud didn't do much on Wednesday. Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images.
It's that time of year again! Houston Texans voluntary OTAs got cranking on Wednesday, and once again the team had a great showing from many of their top players.
Who's in attendance?
Also Sheldon Rankins, Henry To'oTo'o, Braxton Berrios.
But To'oTo'o, Berrios, Dalton Schultz, &
Dameon Pierce were in the training room rehabbing. https://t.co/C3gWULbScf
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) May 28, 2025
Let's start with some big names not in attendance. They include Joe Mixon, Christian Harris, Danielle Hunter, and new safety CJ Gardner-Johnson.
As you can see in DJ Bien-Aime's post above, some of the missing players were in the training room.
Interesting note from KPRC 2's Aaron Wilson. Mixon has been in a walking boot, but the issue is reportedly minor.
Several veterans not at #Texans voluntary OTA, including Joe Mixon, who's been in walking boot recently for injury sources call minor, Dalton Schultz, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Christian Harris, Jimmie Ward (foot surgery), Brevin Jordan (ACL tear last season), Danielle Hunter, Dameon… pic.twitter.com/Db0CUnEwNs
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) May 28, 2025
What does the revamped o-line look like?
Head coach DeMeco Ryans discussed the group and said we should expect a lot of “mixing and matching” as the team looks to find their best five linemen.
Wilson is reporting that rookie second-round pick Aireontae Ersery got work in at both left and right tackle.
Bien-Aime shared below what the first team o-line looked like when going through drills.
Patterson has rotated with the 1s at center.
Aireontae Ersery has rotated with the 1s at RT. https://t.co/G1KAH1Ka3L
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) May 28, 2025
Cam Robinson at left tackle, Laken Tomlinson left guard, Jake Andrews center, Tytus Howard right guard, and Blake Fisher at right tackle. Jarrett Patterson also got some work in at center. Fascinating that Howard was at RG, since he played LG for most of the season. Ersery also rotated in at RT.
How does CJ Stroud look?
And we are back .. Texans OTAs ..
CJ Stroud pic.twitter.com/BKQAoqJVV4
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) May 28, 2025
Stroud is in attendance, but not doing much. Davis Mills is throwing to the receivers.
#Texans backup quarterback Davis Mills is taking first string and second string reps while C.J. Stroud watches. Stroud warmed up and did some drills, but no action at the moment. Seems fine @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/STIq0qtv7K
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) May 28, 2025
How do the new receivers look?
WR drills.
Nico. Noel. Johnson. Metchie. Higgins. #Texans #OTAs pic.twitter.com/1UecK2xnYR
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) May 28, 2025
You can watch Nico Collins (No. 12), Jaylin Noel (No. 82), Jayden Higgins (No. 81) and more going through drills in the video above.
Jayden Higgins looks like a tight end. Dude is massive.
Some highlights from his first day at OTAs pic.twitter.com/A0tmNZYhOZ
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) May 28, 2025
Loving this new receiver group! The youth and talent infusion should pay huge dividends.
In conclusion
It's nice to see the guys back in action and to get a sneak peek at the new faces that have joined the squad. It should be a fun year watching the Texans piece together their new-look offense! Go Texans!
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It wasn’t just a win — it was a glimpse into the Astros’ future
Jun 27, 2025, 10:43 pm
Cam Smith hit a three-run homer in his first game against the Cubs since being traded to Houston and Brandon Walter threw six solid innings in his first MLB victory as the Astros beat Chicago 7-4 on Friday night.
THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER.#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/xZ9dvfZYTs
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 28, 2025
Yainer Diaz added a three-run homer as AL West-leading Houston extended its winning streak to five games.
3-run Yainer Bomb!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/4zku17xsR0
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 28, 2025
The Astros scored four runs in the third off Cubs starter Cade Horton (3-2), with Jose Altuve scoring on a sacrifice fly by Victor Caratini before Diaz capped the inning with his 377-foot shot to left-center.
Smith, a first-round draft selection by Chicago last year was acquired by the Astros in the offseason as part of the deal for Kyle Tucker, extended Houston’s lead to 7-0 in the fourth with his home run off the left field façade, his sixth of the season. Smith had two hits and scored two runs.
Walter (1-1), a 28-year-old left-hander, allowed one run on four hits with five strikeouts. Josh Hader got the final out for his 22nd save.
Jeremy Peña exited in the fifth with left rib soreness. He was hit by a pitch in his left side in the second. There was no immediate word on the extent of his injury.
Nico Hoerner hit a solo home run in the fifth, and Matt Shaw added a two-run double in the seventh and an RBI double in the ninth for NL Central-leading Chicago.
Horton allowed seven runs on eight hits with four walks in four innings.
Tucker was hitless in his return to Houston. He kept the game scoreless in the first, throwing Isaac Paredes out at the plate to end the frame.
Key moment
Hader inducing a lineout to center by Ian Happ to end it with Tucker, representing the tying run, on deck.
Key stat
Houston has its second five-game winning streak for the month of June, and improved to an MLB-best 18-6 this month.
Up next
Cubs RHP Colin Rea (4-3, 4.42 ERA) starts the second game of the three-game series Saturday. Houston has not named a starter.
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