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.
DL, Thomas Booker, #56
TE, Pharaoh Brown, #85
RB, Rex Burkhead, #28
OL, A.J. Cann, #60
LB, Blake Cashman, #53
DL, Maliek Collins, #96
WR, Nico Collins, #12
WR, Brandin Cooks, #13
OL, Austin Deculus, #76
WR, Phillip Dorsett, #4
DL, Michael Dwumfour, #50
K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, #7
OL, Kenyon Green, #59.
DL, Rasheem Green, #92
DL, Jonathan Greenard, #52
LB, Kamu Grugier-Hill, #51
FB, Troy Hairston, #34
LB, Jake Hansen, #49
DL, Demone Harris, #94
OL, Charlie Heck, #67
LB, Neville Hewitt, #43
DL, Kurt Hinish, #93
TE, O.J. Howard, #83
OL, Tytus Howard, #71
DL, Jerry Hughes, #55
WR, Tyler Johnson, #14
P, Cameron Johnston, #11
TE, Brevin Jordan, #9
DB, Desmond King II, #25
LB, Christian Kirksey, #58
DL, Roy Lopez, #91
OL, Justin McCray, #64
QB, Davis Mills, #10
WR, Chris Moore, #15
OL, Jimmy Morrissey, #79
DB, Eric Murray, #23
DB, Steven Nelson, #21
RB, Dare Ogunbowale, #33
DL, Ogbo Okoronkwo, #45
DB, Jonathan Owens, #36
RB, Dameon Pierce, #31
DB, Jalen Pitre, #5
OL, Scott Quessenberry, #54
LB, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, #44
DB, Tremon Smith, #1.
DB, M.J. Stewart, #29
DB, Derek Stingley Jr., #24
OL, Laremy Tunsil, #78
LB, Garret Wallow, #32
LS, Jon Weeks #46
An image from the Aug 19, 2022 preseason week 2 game between the Houston Texans and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, CA.
