How Houston Texans OTAs bring big energy and early surprises

REVAMPED OFFENSE ON DISPLAY

Houston Texans CJ Stroud
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?

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.

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.

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?

Stroud is in attendance, but not doing much. Davis Mills is throwing to the receivers.

How do the new receivers look?

You can watch Nico Collins (No. 12), Jaylin Noel (No. 82), Jayden Higgins (No. 81) and more going through drills in the video above.

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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The Astros can make some hay against the lowly White Sox. Composite Getty Image.

The Astros open a three-game set Tuesday night against the struggling Chicago White Sox, looking to put together a solid homestand and maintain their lead atop the AL West.

Houston enters the series at 36-29, including a 22-12 mark at Daikin Park, where they've consistently found ways to win behind timely hitting and quality pitching. They'll send Lance McCullers (1-1, 4.44 ERA) to the mound, hoping he can keep the momentum going against a White Sox team that has labored all year, particularly on the road.

Chicago comes in at 22-44 overall and just 6-26 away from home, though starter Shane Smith (2-3, 2.45 ERA) has been a bright spot in an otherwise dim season. He’ll be tasked with trying to quiet a Houston lineup that’s been inconsistent of late but remains dangerous when it clicks — the Astros are 20-3 in games where they score five or more runs.

Jeremy Peña continues to lead the way at the plate, hitting .316 with nine homers and 32 RBIs, while Jake Meyers is coming off a four-hit game on Sunday and is 11-for-35 over the past 10 games. If those two stay hot, Houston could have an edge against the young right-hander.

The White Sox have gotten recent production from Chase Meidroth and Miguel Vargas, but overall remain one of the most inconsistent offenses in the league. Like Houston, they tend to win when they hit — they’re 14-3 in games where they’ve scored at least five runs — but those games have been few and far between.

Both teams have shown flashes in recent days. Over their last 10 games, the Astros are 6-4 but have been outscored overall, while the White Sox are 4-6 despite a slightly better run differential. With Houston favored at -195 and an over/under of 8, the pressure will be on McCullers to set the tone early — and on the bats to back him up.

The teams will meet for the fourth time this season Tuesday night, with first pitch set for 8:10 p.m. ET.


*ChatGPT assisted.

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