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. (Updated 12/29/2020)
ILB, Tyrell Adams #50
TE, Jordan Akins, 88
DT, Auzoyah Alufohai, #98
P, Bryan Anger, 9
CB, Cornell Armstrong, 30
DT, Ross Blacklock #90
DT, Andrew Brown, #97
TE Pharaoh Brown #85
WR, Brandin Cooks #13
WR, Isaiah Coulter #82
WR, Keke Coutee, 16
CB, Keion Crossen, 35
ILB, Zach Cunningham, 41
ILB, Kyle Emanuel, 56
K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, 7
TE, Darren Fells, 87
OL, Zach Fulton, 73
CB, Phillip Gaines #29
OLB, Jonathan Greenard #52
ILB, Nate Hall, 48
WR, Chad Hansen, #17
CB, Vernon Hargreaves III #26
T, Charlie Heck #67
RB, Dontrell Hilliard, #22
RB, Buddy Howell, 38
RB, David Johnson #31
RB, Duke Johnson, 25
CB, Lonnie Johnson, Jr., 32
T, Roderick Johnson #63
OLB, Peter Kalambayi, 58
OL, Senio Kelemete, 64
LB, Jacob Martin, 54
C, Nick Martin, 66
QB, AJ McCarron #2
QB, Josh McCown, 3
S, A.J. Moore, 33
DE, Charles Omenihu, 94
S, Jonathan Owens, 36
RB, Scottie Phillips, #40
DE C.J. Prosise #24
G/T Brent Qvale #76
WR, Damion Ratley, #19
CB, John Reid #34
OLB, Brennan Scarlett, 57
OL, Max Scharping, 74
OL, Laremy Tunsil, 78
TE, Kahale Warring, 81
DL, Carlos Watkins, 91
QB, Deshaun Watson, 4
DE, J.J. Watt, 99
LS, Jon Weeks #46
