Critical observations you need to know about from Houston Texans OTAs
TEXANS OTAS
21 May 2024
TEXANS OTAS
The Houston Texans are back on the field for voluntary OTAs, and it sure is nice to see one face in particular. Tank Dell is already participating in on-field drills after suffering a gunshot wound to the leg just a few weeks ago.
#Texans wide receiver Tank Dell @Tankdell4 back in his element running routes. A resilient offseason for Dell who has recovered from gunshot wound to his leg as victim in mass Florida shooting after previous broken fibula last season @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/AWn6vjTjf7
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) May 21, 2024
After the incident, Texans CEO Cal McNair said Dell would take a while to get back to where he was in his broken fibula rehab before suffering the gunshot wound. Clearly, Dell is ahead of schedule, and that's a great thing for QB CJ Stroud and the rest of the offense.
CJ Stroud ➡️ to Tank Dell.
Back like he never left. pic.twitter.com/BtXYY7aEMt
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) May 21, 2024
Head coach DeMeco Ryans spoke about Tank Dell's return.
'Fun to see Tank running around' after 'tragic situation' #Texans coach DeMeco Ryans on healthy return of Tank Dell from gun shot wound. Tank looks great @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/OPPcGCrFwh
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) May 21, 2024
Notable absences
The biggest addition of the offseason, Stefon Diggs, is not present at OTAs. Tytus Howard, Laremy Tunsil, and Shaq Mason are not in attendance either. Let's keep in mind, these workouts are voluntary, but it would have been great to see Diggs show up to build chemistry with Stroud.
Noticeable absences at OTAs.
Laremy Tunsil(he never shows up for OTAs. Probably training in Alabama.)
Tytus Howard.
Shaq Mason.
Stefon Diggs.
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) May 21, 2024
Speaking of building chemistry with Stroud. The Texans' most productive receiver last season, Nico Collins, is on the field preparing for a huge contract year.
Texans 7 on 7:
C.J. Stroud to Nico Collins just like old times pic.twitter.com/bheXTISApj
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) May 21, 2024
All Collins really has to prove this year is that he can stay healthy. He recorded 1,297 receiving yards and 8 TDs over 15 games in 2023.
He hasn't made it through a season healthy over his three-year career. Hopefully he bucks the trend in 2024. If he does, he likely will receive a contract extension similar to Colts receiver Michael Pittman. A three-year, $70 million deal with $46 million in guarantees. If he remains healthy, he'll get that money from someone, whether it's the Texans or another team.
Especially if Diggs leaves after the season when his contract expires.
Christian Walker homered among his three hits and had a season-high four RBIs to lead the Houston Astros over the Chicago White Sox 10-2 on Wednesday night.
ALL-STAR SMASH.#VoteWalker ⭐️ https://t.co/W06pfHQMR1 pic.twitter.com/DDzNOvnsXt
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 12, 2025
Jose Altuve added two hits to give him 2,300 in his career, joining Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (2,342) as the only active players with at least 2,300.
The GOAT with another milestone.
Congrats to Altuve on 2,300 career hits! #VoteAltuve ⭐️ https://t.co/W06pfHRkGz pic.twitter.com/gtaLqdegqM
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 12, 2025
Altuve got things going with an RBI double in the first. There were two outs in the inning when Walker homered to left field off Sean Burke (3-7) to make it 3-0.
Houston starter Ryan Gusto (4-3) allowed seven hits and two runs with a season-best seven strikeouts in a season-high six innings.
Josh Rojas had two hits for the White Sox, who fell to 7-27 on the road.
Altuve singled with two outs in the third before Yainer Diaz walked. Walker then smacked a line drive to center field for a double to score them both and push the lead to 5-0.
There was one out in the fourth when Cam Smith hit a ground-rule double. With two outs, Jeremy Peña doubled on a ball that bounced off the wall in left field to make it 6-0. Isaac Paredes followed with another RBI double to chase Burke, who yielded eight hits and seven runs — both career highs — in 3 2/3 innings.
Rojas singled in the fifth and moved to third on a ground-rule double by Vinny Capra. Rojas scored on a groundout by Mike Tauchman to cut it to 7-1. Miguel Vargas hit an RBI single to make it 7-2.
Paredes had three hits and two RBIs to help the Astros snap a two-game skid.
Walker’s home run that put Houston up 3-0 early.
He talked about his big night following the game.
Christian Walker’s four RBIs were a season-high pic.twitter.com/V2cQWk6pRC
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) June 12, 2025
Walker had just two RBIs in his previous six games.
Houston LHP Framber Valdez (6-4, 3.07 ERA) opposes RHP Davis Martin (2-6, 3.62) when the series concludes Thursday night.