TEXANS CAMP REPORT

11 observations from Texans training camp Day 8

11 observations from Texans training camp Day 8
The defense is constantly defeating the offense.Image via: HoustonTexans/Screenshot.

The Houston Texans had officials out on the field as more team and individual work was on the docket in pads yet again.

1. Deshaun Watson remains out for the Texans and head coach David Culley explained there is no change on Watson. Culley said he and general manager Nick Caserio meet regularly on the team and how to handle each day.

2. The Texans should think about swapping out Jeff Driskel for a different quarterback. With rookie quarterback Davis Mills struggling and Driskel also having a rough day constantly, the Texans aren't getting a ton out of the reps not involving Tyrod Taylor. The team previously had Ryan Finley on the team after an offseason trade, and Finley is still a free agent.

3. Davis Mills had a couple of rough spots on Thursday. Mills overthrew tight end Ryan Izzo in seven-on-seven drills. Mills also threw another interception in practice. He scrambled out to his right and tried to beat three defenders, but safety Lonnie Johnson came down with the ball.

4. Veteran wide receiver Chris Conley cooked Bradley Roby for a score in one-on-one drills. Conley has made some great plays and has been very consistent this camp. Only Brandin Cooks has been better and more consistent.

5. Bradley Roby might have been beaten by Conley once, but Roby had almost no losses the rest of practice. Roby even had a pass breakup on a surefire score as well.

6. Keke Coutee shakes loose from defenders with ease. Coutee drew cheers when he juked out second-year cornerback John Reid and drew a pass interference call in team drills. Coutee however did drop an over-the-shoulder dime later in practice.

7. The defense is constantly defeating the offense. The consistency on offense just isn't there right now. Head coach David Culley mentioned after practice he wasn't pleased with the offense today, but gave credit to the defense for their string of successful days.

8. Rookie Roy Lopez had another few successful plays as he builds on his big Wednesday. Lopez immediately beat his blocker to reroute a rushing play. Lopez also had what looked to be a sack in team reps.

9. Defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker has only practiced a handful of days, but has shown up more than a few times altering plays. The competition for the defensive line spots will be hard. Jacob Martin, who is now listed as a defensive lineman after being a linebacker last year, had a speedy sack in drills.

10. Third-year offensive lineman Max Scharping is on his way to bouncing back after a poor 2020 season. He's played left guard mostly and if the Texans had to play tomorrow, he would likely be in the starting rotation. It will be interesting to see how the line changes their positions when Marcus Cannon and Lane Taylor return from the physically unable to perform list.

11. Third-year tight end Kahale Warring had a pass bounce off his hands in the end zone that ended up in an interception. Against air and in one-on-one sessions, Warring has some plays that really wow. Warring is absent and a non-factor during the team sessions though. It will be an uphill battle with some solid performances in preseason games needed for Warring to make the team.

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The Brewers beat the Astros, 4-3. Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images.

Jake Bauers hit a two-run homer as the Milwaukee Brewers got all their runs in the first inning of a 4-3 victory over the Houston Astros on Tuesday.

The Brewers produced that big first-inning outburst against Hayden Wesneski, who hadn’t allowed more than three runs in any of his previous five starts this season.

Rhys Hoskins opened the scoring with a two-out, two-run double off the center-field wall. Bauers followed that up by clearing that center-field wall as he connected on a 1-2 pitch and delivered a 416-foot drive.

Wesneski (1-3) didn’t allow any more runs but only lasted four innings. He struck out three while allowing five hits and two walks.

Milwaukee’s Chad Patrick (2-3) worked a career-high 6 2/3 innings and carried a one-hit shutout into the seventh before the Astros got to him.

After Yainer Diaz and Jake Meyers hit consecutive one-out singles, Brendan Rodgers hit a three-run homer with two outs to cut Milwaukee’s lead to 4-3. Rodgers’ drive to right field was his first homer of the season.

The Astros had runners on first and second with two outs in the eighth, but Nick Mears came out of the bullpen and got Diaz to hit an inning-ending grounder to shortstop Joey Ortiz. Mears had gotten the Brewers out of a two-on, one-out jam in a 5-1 victory over the Astros a night earlier.

Trevor Megill retired the side in order in the ninth for his fourth save in five opportunities. Meyers led off the inning with a deep fly that Jackson Chourio caught at the center-field warning track.

Key moment

Houston trailed 4-3 with one out in the eighth when Brewers catcher William Contreras threw out Jose Altuve, who was attempting to advance to second on a pitch in the dirt. Isaac Paredes walked and Christian Walker singled immediately after that second out, but the Astros couldn't capitalize.

Key stat

Patrick, a 26-year-old rookie, hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of his seven starts.

Up next

Left-hander Framber Valdez (1-4, 4.39 ERA) pitches for Houston and right-hander Quinn Priester (1-0, 5.79) starts for Milwaukee as the Brewers attempt to complete the sweep Wednesday afternoon.

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