We're already seeing some surprising roster cuts by Houston Texans
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
27 August 2024
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
As the Houston Texans make some tough decisions to set their initial 53-man roster, we're already hearing reports about some big names that won't make the cut.
First and foremost is receiver Noah Brown. Brown signed a 1-year, $5 million contract with the team before the season. Which made many believe he would be safe to make the team.
But he had surgery to repair his labrum in the offseason and has yet to play this preseason for the team. He caught 33 passes for 567 yards and two touchdowns for Houston last season.
KPRC 2's Aaron Wilson is reporting that the team is also releasing WR Ben Skowronek, nickel corner Desmond King, and WR Quintez Cephus.
Sources: #Texans releasing Noah Brown, Ben Skowronek, Desmond King, Quintez Cephus @KPRC2 https://t.co/gompKckjxf
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 27, 2024
Skowronek was thought to have a decent chance to make the team, since the Texans traded a 7th round pick for him. But it appears the Texans receiver group was tough to crack.
Unless we hear otherwise, it appears CJ Stroud will be throwing to Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs, Tank Dell, John Metchie III, Robert Woods, and Xavier Hutchinson.
Often injured tight end Teagan Quitoriano has been let go as well, per Aaron Wilson.
Cornerback was a priority for the Texans in free agency. They added two former first round picks in Jeff Okudah and CJ Henderson. It's now being reported that Henderson will not make the team.
#Texans releasing C.J. Henderson, Troy Pride Jr. Dieter Eiselen, Jacob Phillips, Pheldarius Payne (waived-injured), McTelvin Agim, Tyrique Barnes, per sources @KPRC2 https://t.co/gompKckjxf
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 27, 2024
Other names of note
Backup QB Tim Boyle will also be released. Case Keenum's season is over, he's been placed on IR (foot). The team will go with two QBs on the roster in CJ Stroud and Davis Mills.
Sources: #Texans get down to 53-player limit as Case Keenum (regular injured reserve, foot), Kurt Hinish (calf, short-term IR), Pheldarius Payne waived-injured (hamstring), Brandon Hill (IR, knee), Jawhar Jordan (waived-injured, oblique, injury settlement) @KPRC2…
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 27, 2024
The running back position was one of the big talking points this preseason. Joe Mixon, Dameon Pierce, Cam Akers, Dare Ogunbowale, and British Brooks all made the team. Brooks will see time at fullback.
Here's an update on injured LB Christian Harris (calf).
To clarify because I saw some confusion, #Texans placed LB Christian Harris and DT Kurt Hinish on short term IR. Both can return after 4 weeks.
QB Case Keenum and S Brandon Hill are on season-ending IR. https://t.co/DNRcNasWfy
— Jonathan M Alexander (@jonmalexander) August 27, 2024
We'll keep updating throughout the day as more cuts are reported. For a more detailed breakdown of cut day, be sure to follow Aaron Wilson's work at Click2Houston.com.
Pittsburgh's Mike Burrows held Houston in check into the sixth inning to pick up the first victory of his career as a starter as the Pirates topped the Astros 3-0 on Wednesday night.
Burrows (1-1), whose rise through the Pirates system was slowed by Tommy John surgery in 2023, allowed five hits and struck out six in 5 1/3 innings. The 25-year-old right-hander took a significant step forward after giving up eight runs in 8 1/3 innings across his first two starts since being called up from Triple-A Indianapolis.
David Bednar worked the ninth for his seventh save.
Oneil Cruz and Spencer Horwitz had two hits apiece for Pittsburgh, which snapped a two-game skid. Andrew McCutchen and Isiah Kiner-Falefa both drove in runs against Houston starter Ryan Gusto (3-3) in the second inning to give Burrows all the offense he would need.
Jeremy Peña had two of Houston's seven hits as the Astros lost for just the third time in their last 10 games.
Gusto, who has split time between the bullpen and the starting rotation, labored through 4 1/3 innings. He needed 83 pitches to record 13 outs and was pulled with two on and one out in the fifth. Gusto allowed three runs on eight hits, with two walks and three strikeouts. The right-hander is 0-2 with an 8.22 ERA in his last six appearances.
Houston's biggest threat came in the sixth when a double by Pena and a walk to Jose Altuve put two on with one out. Pirates reliever Chase Shugart retired the next two hitters, with third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes making a nice play on a grounder by Yainer Diaz to end the threat.
11-13: Pittsburgh's record since Don Kelly replaced Derek Shelton as manager on May 8.
The interleague series wraps up on Thursday. Framber Valdez (5-4, 3.12 ERA) gets the start for Houston against Pittsburgh veteran Mitch Keller (1-7, 3.73).
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This story has been corrected to note that this is Burrows' first victory as a starter. He had a victory in relief in 2024.