Robert Nelson does a standing backflip before every Texans practice.
But the cornerback didn't flip when he found out he was heading from the practice squad to the 53-man roster this week.
His demeanor and approach remained consistent.
"Same thing I brought in the preseason: what they were expecting and just know my role as a db and a player on this team," Nelson said on Friday.
The third-year pro out of Arizona State began his NFL career with the Browns in 2014, where played in seven games as a special teamer. Head coach Bill O'Brien explained what Nelson's addition means to the Texans.
"He adds some depth in the secondary," O'Brien said. "He's got good speed. Helps on special teams. He'll be out there on special teams. He's a very competitive guy. At the end of training camp, in the Dallas preseason game, I thought he played really well and was really in the conversation to make the 53. It was a promotion that I think was deserved."
Nelson also shared Friday why he does the backflip at practice: it helps pump up defensive lineman D.J. Reader.
"That gets him going every day before practice," Nelson said. "He tells me to hit one every day just to get him going."
Nelson and the Texans host the Colts on Sunday Night Football at NRG Stadium. Kickoff is at 7:30 CT.
The Houston Texans roster in photos.
TE, Jordan Akins, #88
WR, Danny Amendola, #89
TE, Antony Auclair, #83
DL, Ross Blacklock, #90
TE, Pharaoh Brown, #85
RB, Rex Burkhead, #28
OL, Geron Christian Sr., #72
DL, Maliek Collins, #97
WR, Nico Collins, #12
WR, Chris Conley, #18
WR, Brandin Cooks, #13
LB, Zach Cunningham, #41
WR, Davion Davis, #81
QB, Jeff Driskel, #6
K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, #7
RB, Royce Freeman
DL, Jonathan Greenard, #52
LB, Kamu Grugier-Hill, #51
OL, Charlie Heck, #67
LB, Neville Hewitt, #43
OL, Tytus Howard, #71
RB, David Johnson, #31
DL, Jaleel Johnson, #93
DB, Lonnie Johnson Jr., #1
P, Cameron Johnston, #11
TE, Brevin Jordan, #9
DB, Desmond King II, #25
DB, Cre'von LeBlanc, #21
DL, Roy Lopez, #91
DL, Jacob Martin, #54
OL, Justin McCray, #64
QB, Davis Mills, #10
DB, Terrance Mitchell, #39
WR, Chris Moore, #15
DB, A.J. Moore Jr., #33
DB, Jimmy Moreland, #22
OL, Jimmy Morrissey, #79
DB, Eric Murray, #23
LB, Kevin Pierre-Louis, #57
DB, Justin Reid, #20
DL, Derek Rivers, #95
OL, Max Scharping, #74
DB, Tremon Smith, #24
OL, Lane Taylor, #65
QB Tyrod Taylor, #5
OL, Cole Toner, #66
DB, Tavierre Thomas, #37
DL, DeMarcus Walker, #55
LB, Garret Wallow, #32
QB, Deshaun Watson, #4
LS, Jon Weeks #46
LB, Eric Wilson, #59
