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. (Updated 3/1/2021)
ILB, Tyrell Adams #50
TE, Jordan Akins, 88
DT, Auzoyah Alufohai, #98
P, Bryan Anger, 9
CB, Cornell Armstrong, 30
C/G, Beau Benzschawel #62
DT, Ross Blacklock #90
ILB, Curtis Bolton #47
DT, Andrew Brown, #97
TE Pharaoh Brown #85
C, Cohl Cabral #72
WR, Randall Cobb #18
ILB, Dylan Cole, 51
CB, Gareon Conley, 22
WR, Brandin Cooks #13
WR, Isaiah Coulter #82
WR, Keke Coutee, 16
CB, Keion Crossen, 35
ILB, Zach Cunningham, 41
DE, Brandon Dunn, 92
OLB, Duke Ejiofor, 53
ILB, Kyle Emanuel, 56
K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, 7
TE, Darren Fells, 87
CB, Mark Fields II #39
G, Hjalte Froholdt #77
OL, Zach Fulton, 73
CB, Phillip Gaines #29
FB, Cullen Gillaspia, 44
OLB, Jonathan Greenard #52
ILB, Nate Hall, 48
NT, P.J. Hall #96
WR, Chad Hansen, #17
CB, Vernon Hargreaves III #26
T, Charlie Heck #67
RB, Dontrell Hilliard, #22
OL, Tytus Howard, 71
RB, Buddy Howell, 38
RB, David Johnson #31
CB, Lonnie Johnson, Jr., 32
T, Roderick Johnson #63
LS, Anthony Kukwa #45
LB, Jacob Martin, 54
QB, AJ McCarron #2
LB, Benardrick McKinney, 55
OLB, Whitney Mercilus, 59
WR, Steven Mitchell, Jr., 11
S, A.J. Moore, 33
S Eric Murray #23
DE, Charles Omenihu, 94
S, Jonathan Owens, 36
RB, Scottie Phillips, #40
G/T Brent Qvale #76
WR, Damion Ratley, #19
CB, John Reid #34
S, Justin Reid, 20
OLB, Brennan Scarlett, 57
OL, Max Scharping, 74
S, Michael Thomas #28
TE, Kahale Warring, 81
DL, Carlos Watkins, 91
QB, Deshaun Watson, 4
LS, Jon Weeks #46
