When the Texans gather again for Training Camp in six weeks, they'll be able to get ready for something no NFL team took part in last season – preseason games.
Coach David Culley told Texans Radio it's especially significant for his team, with so many new players, to have the chance to play together before the regular season starts.
"Our new guys that are on this team, with the camaraderie, learning each other, being able to play off each other – you only get that from playing the game, and the three preseason games are important for that."
"There's no replacement for actually playing," He added. "There's no replacement for putting in your system against an opponent and executing what you do. In the passing game, it's much more critical than in the run game. In timing, not being able to get that just through Training Camp."
Everyone who gets reps benefits, but this season's rookies should get off to a better start with the extra action. "I saw some rookies (last year) who weren't quite as ready because of the speed of the game," Culley said. "I saw some rookies who were a little more hesitant than you expected because of not having those games."
Because the Texans and the rest of the AFC get an extra regular season home game, they'll play two preseason games on the road and one at home.
The Texans preseason slate opens August 14 at Green Bay, and then it's a trip to Arlington to take on the Cowboys a week later. The first home date is August 28 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. All the games are live on ABC 13, SportsRadio 610 and The Bull 100.3 FM.
The Houston Texans roster in photos.
DL, Mario Addison, #97
TE, Jordan Akins, #88
DB, Grayland Arnold, #35
DL, Thomas Booker, #56
RB, Rex Burkhead, #28
OL, A.J. Cann, #60
LB, Blake Cashman, #53
DL, Maliek Collins, #96
WR, Brandin Cooks, #13
OL, Austin Deculus, #76
WR, Phillip Dorsett, #4
QB, Jeff Driskel, #6
K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, #7
DB, Jacobi Francis, #38
RB, Royce Freeman, #26
OL, Kenyon Green, #59.
DL, Rasheem Green, #92
DL, Jonathan Greenard, #52
FB, Troy Hairston, #34
LB, Jake Hansen, #49
LB, Christian Harris, #48
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
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
DB, Jalen Pitre, #5
OL, Scott Quessenberry, #54
TE, Teagan Quitoriano, #84
LB, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, #44
WR, Amari Rodgers, #19
DB, Tremon Smith, #1.
DB, M.J. Stewart, #29
DB, Tavierre Thomas, #37
OL, Laremy Tunsil, #78
LB, Garret Wallow, #32
LS, Jon Weeks #46
