TEXANS CAMP REPORT
11 observations from Texans training camp Day 8
Aug 5, 2021, 2:37 pm
TEXANS CAMP REPORT
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.
As quarterback C.J. Stroud returns to lead the Houston Texans for a third season, his offense has a much different look than it did a year ago.
Top receiver Nico Collins and leading rusher Joe Mixon are back. But the Texans have a new offensive coordinator in Nick Caley after Bobby Slowik was fired and longtime left tackle Laremy Tunsil was traded to the Commanders in the offseason.
In other moves on offense, Houston traded for receiver Christian Kirk, signed receiver Justin Watson and drafted Iowa State receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel before signing running back Nick Chubb last month.
Chubb should get a lot of work early in camp with Mixon opening camp on the non-football injury list after missing minicamp with an ankle injury.
“Every year you’re looking to add more and more to your team,” coach DeMeco Ryans said Wednesday as the Texans opened camp. “I’m excited about the receivers that we’ve added. The young guys, Noel, Higgins, also with Kirk, Watson, all the guys we’ve added at those spots will definitely enhance our offense, giving us more options for where the football can go, and that will help our quarterback a lot.”
It’s officially training camp szn ‼️ pic.twitter.com/WBYXQE8myg
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) July 23, 2025
The Texans needed depth at receiver after veterans Stefon Diggs and Robert Woods left in free agency and with Tank Dell out indefinitely recovering from a gruesome knee injury sustained in December.
Even though it’s early, Stroud has already been impressed by his rookie receivers. Higgins, who has been compared to Collins, had 87 receptions for 1,183 yards and nine touchdowns last season for the Cyclones and Noel added 80 catches for 1,194 yards and eight scores.
“They’ve came in with a great mindset,” Stroud said. “They are really mature guys. Guys who love to work, consistently, here at the building or working with me in the offseason. So, I’m really excited to see those guys’ growth and see them take a step forward each and every day. Not going to be perfect for them, but I think they’re going to make a lot of plays.”
I am speed 🏃♂️ pic.twitter.com/Z6tjqebi1z
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) July 23, 2025
While the Texans addressed their need at receiver, their most pressing issue is improving the offensive line after Stroud was sacked 52 times last season, which ranked second in the NFL. Though Tunsil was penalty-prone he was Houston’s most consistent lineman and replacing him won’t be easy.
Second-round pick Aireontae Ersery could be Houston’s left tackle of the future after starting 38 games at the position over three seasons at Minnesota. But veteran Cam Robinson will likely open the season at left tackle while Ersery adjusts to the NFL.
Ryans knows everyone is concerned about the offensive line after Stroud was sacked eight times in a 23-14 loss to the Chiefs in the divisional round of the playoffs last season.
“I know I’m going to get a ton of questions about the offensive line and what it looks like,” Ryans said. “You guys will see what it looks like when we line up across from another team and we get a chance to actually compete in live reps. Me talking to you is probably not going to convince anybody here … we’ll see what it looks like, man. I’m excited about the group because I know they’ll be better.”
Stroud is also looking to take another step after leading the Texans to the postseason in each of his first two seasons. Stroud threw for 3,727 yards with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 17 games last season after winning AP Offensive Rookie of the Year in his debut when he had 4,108 yards passing with 23 TD passes and just five interceptions in 15 games.
He was asked what the biggest lesson he learned last year was that he believes will help him this season.
“Just trust the process,” he said. “It’s not about what people think, who people think you are, what they think you are or when they think you should do it. It’s about your process and how you’re going to go about it. If God is happy, your teammates are happy and yourself, then you’re good.”
You can watch Stroud discuss his growth as a QB in the video below.
'I've grown a lot' #Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud @CJ7STROUD @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/OOMIWpC8zF
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) July 23, 2025