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 Rangers beat the Astros, 5-1. Composite Getty Image.

Marcus Semien hit his 250th career home run and Adolis García also went deep to back up a strong start by Nathan Eovaldi and give the Texas Rangers a 5-1, series clinching victory over the Houston Astros on Sunday.

Eovaldi (7-3) limited Houston to five hits and a run with eight strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings for his third straight win.

Houston starter Hunter Brown (9-4) allowed five hits and four runs while striking out eight in five innings as the AL West leaders lost for the fifth time in six games. It was the second straight tough outing for the All-Star, who gave up a season-high six runs in his last start against Cleveland.

Wyatt Langford walked to open the second and the Rangers made it 1-0 when he scored on a triple by Evan Carter. There were two outs in the inning when Carter scored on a ground-rule double by Ezequiel Duran to push the lead to 2-0.García’s third homer in the last four games put Texas ahead 3-0 with two outs in the third inning.

Carter doubled to start the fourth and Kyle Higashioka singled before Carter scored on a sacrifice fly by Alejandro Osuna to make it 4-0.

The Astros cut it to 4-1 on a home run by Zack Short with no outs in the sixth inning.

Semien’s shot with one out in the eighth inning was his second of the series and gave him 250 in his 13-year career.

Key moment

Texas jumping on Brown for two runs in the second inning to take the lead for good.

Key stat

García’s 20 home runs against the Astros since 2021 are the most of any player in that span.

Up next

The Astros open the second half of the season Friday night at Seattle, and the Rangers host Detroit on the same night.

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