D.J. Reader caught a punt Wednesday, but don't expect that to happen on Sundays. Or any day the Texans play a game.
The rookie nose tackle cleanly fielded a Shane Lechler punt during practice at the Houston Methodist Training Center, and because of that, practice ended early.
"We've got a long way to go, but it's about 115 heat index out here right now and I think they were
busting pretty good this morning," head coach Bill O'Brien said. "It was time to call it a day and reward them."
With the entire team watching, Reader's catch drew a roar of approval. It came shortly after O'Brien huddled the squad together and selected the defensive lineman from Clemson.
"I usually try to pick someone that I think, I have confidence that they may catch it, but I know there's a chance they may drop it," O'Brien explained. "So if he drops it, we're going back to practice. If he catches it, we're going to move on to the next phase. He did a good job. He's had a good camp. He's a young player, so that's usually what I try to do there."
Reader lettered for the Clemson baseball team as a pitcher and first baseman, so he has experience with fly balls.
The Houston Texans roster in photos.
An image from the Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars NFL week one game at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX on Sep. 12 2021. The Texans won 37-21.
TE, Antony Auclair, #83
DL, Ross Blacklock, #90
OL, Justin Britt, #68
DB, Terrence Brooks, #29
TE, Pharaoh Brown, #85
RB, Rex Burkhead, #28
OL, Marcus Cannon, #61
OL, Geron Christian Sr., #72
DL, Maliek Collins, #97
WR, Nico Collins, #12
An image from the Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars NFL week one game at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX on Sep. 12 2021. The Texans won 37-21.
An image from the Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars NFL week one game at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX on Sep. 12 2021. The Texans won 37-21.
LB, Zach Cunningham, #41
DL, Jonathan Greenard, #52
LB, Kamu Grugier-Hill, #51
DB, Vernon Hargreaves III, #26
OL, Charlie Heck, #67
LB, Neville Hewitt, #43
OL, Tytus Howard, #71
An image from the Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars NFL week one game at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX on Sep. 12 2021. The Texans won 37-21.
DL, Jordan Jenkins, #50
RB, David Johnson, #31
DB, Lonnie Johnson Jr., #1
P, Cameron Johnston, #11
TE, Brevin Jordan, #9
DB, Desmond King II, #25
LB, Christian Kirksey, #58
RB, Phillip Lindsay, #30
DL, Roy Lopez, #79
DL, Jacob Martin, #54
OL, Justin McCray, #64
DL, Whitney Mercilus, #59
WR, Anthony Miller, #17
QB, Davis Mills, #10
DB, Terrance Mitchell, #39
DB, Eric Murray, #23
DL, Charles Omenihu, #94
RB, Scottie Phillips, #27
DB, Justin Reid, #20
WR, Andre Roberts, #19
OL, Max Scharping, #74
K, Joey Slye, #16
DB, Tremon Smith, #24
QB, Tyrod Taylor, #5
DL, Vincent Taylor, #96
LB, Joe Thomas, #48
DB, Tavierre Thomas, #37
OL, Laremy Tunsil, #78
DL, DeMarcus Walker, #44
An image from the Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars NFL week one game at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX on Sep. 12 2021. The Texans won 37-21.
QB, Deshaun Watson, #4
An image from the Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars NFL week one game at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX on Sep. 12 2021. The Texans won 37-21.
