This morning, for the first time in 2025, the bulk of the 90-man roster took part in a practice together.

The Texans took part in Organized Team Activities (OTAs) at the Houston Methodist Training Center, and the voluntary workout had the rookies working with the veterans. It's the third round of OTAs for DeMeco Ryans as the team's head coach, and he'll guide the team through more sessions tomorrow and Friday, as well as two more in the middle of next week.

Players wore helmets, but no pads, and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair explained how Wednesday's work was a first step of sorts in the process of coming together as a team.

"I definitely think a young team with a lot of young players, this a time where you go slow," Al-Shaair said. "It is like learning the basic fundamentals of the game and the scheme and everything like that. It gives you a chance for those young guys to really come along and learn more."

Below are a few more notes from the first day of work.

How's the New Guy?

It was the first OTA for Nick Caley as the team's offensive coordinator. He took over this winter, and Ryans is a fan of the enthusiasm and optimism Caley brings to the job.

"You see constant energy from the guy," Ryans said. "He's constantly teaching the guys and trying to help the guys the best he can. He has done a great job of leading the group, leading the coaching staff, leading the players and I'm excited to see his growth throughout this process."

WR Nico Collins described the early approach to learning a new offensive system.

"I'm glad that Nick Caley is here," Collins said. "He is dicing things up right now. For the offense, we have to continue to slow it down and learn it, so that we can go out there and operate and have fun doing it."

New look O-line

One of Caley's most important tasks is helping improve the pass protection for the Texans. Stroud was sacked 52 times in 2024, and that number must go down. With several personnel changes up front, the Texans tinkered with several different pairings on Wednesday.

"When it comes to finding our best group, it will be a lot of mixing and matching guys," Ryans said. "Putting guys in different spots and seeing which five guys work well together. One thing about the o-line is that there is a lot of smart guys in that room and they can move around and play multiple spots, so that helps them. It's just a matter of finding that five once we get to training camp and put pads on. Nobody is making the team right now in shorts and helmets."

One offensive lineman who made a favorable early impression, though, was rookie Aireontae Ersery. Defensive end Will Anderson, Jr. liked what he saw from the second-round tackle from Minnesota.

"He is a large human being," Anderson said. "I think he is going to be really good for us. I am happy he is here. Just seeing him today going against our guys, very athletic, can move, can bend, and I am excited to see what he does and going against him. Just like Coach always says, iron sharpens iron."

Joint practice update

Speaking of "iron sharpens iron" the Texans will practice with a pair of teams in training camp this August. Houston will host the Panthers for the second preseason game--at a date and time to be determined--and will practice with Carolina once in the days leading up to it.

The Texans conclude their presason slate at Detroit, and they'll practice once with the Lions in Michigan before that contest.

"We will do one day with both teams," Ryans said. "Excited to work against those teams. You get different defensive looks from both teams. Different offensive looks and you get to do it in a competitive environment where you're not live on the quarterback."

Last summer, the Texans practiced with the Los Angeles Rams at the Houston Methodist Training Center.