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. (Updated 7/27/2021)
TE, Jordan Akins, #88
DL, Auzoyah Alufohai, #98
DB, Cornell Armstrong, #3
TE, Antony Auclair, #83
DL, Ross Blacklock, #90
OL, Justin Britt, #68
DB, Terrence Brooks, #29
TE, Pharaoh Brown, #85
RB, Rex Burkhead, #28
OL, Marcus Cannon, #61
DB, Shyheim Carter, #38
OL, Geron Christian Sr., #72
WR, Randall Cobb, #18
DL, Maliek Collins, #97
WR, Nico Collins, #12
WR, Chris Conley, #17
WR, Brandin Cooks, #13
WR, Isaiah Coulter, #82
WR, Keke Coutee, #16
DB, Keion Crossen, #35
LB, Zach Cunningham, #41
LB, Tae Davis, #55
QB, Jeff Driskel, #6
DL, Brandon Dunn, #92
WR, Alex Erickson, #14
K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, #7
OL, Hjalte Froholdt, #77
OL, Carson Green, #62
LB, Jonathan Greenard, #52
LB, Kamu Grugier-Hill, #51
LB, Nate Hall, #47
DB, Vernon Hargreaves III, #26
WR, Damon Hazelton, #86
OL, Charlie Heck, #67
LB, Neville Hewitt, #43
RB, Dontrell Hilliard, #22
OL, Tytus Howard, #71
RB, Buddy Howell, #8
RB, Mark Ingram, #2
TE, Ryan Izzo, #81
DL, Jordan Jenkins, #50
RB, David Johnson, #31
DL, Jaleel Johnson, #91
DB, Lonnie Johnson Jr., #1
OL, Roderick Johnson, #63
P, Cameron Johnston, #11
TE, Brevin Jordan, #9
DB, Desmond King II, #25
LB, Christian Kirksey, #58
DL, Shaq Lawson, #93
RB, Phillip Lindsay, #30
DL, Roy Lopez, #79
DL, Jacob Martin, #54
OL, Ryan McCollum, #75
OL, Justin McCray, #64
DL, Whitney Mercilus, #59
WR, Anthony Miller, #18
QB, Davis Mills, #10
DB, Terrance Mitchell, #39
DB, A.J. Moore Jr., #33
WR, Chris Moore, #15
DB, Eric Murray, #23
LB, Hardy Nickerson, #56
DL, Charles Omenihu, #94
DB, Jonathan Owens, #36
RB, Scottie Phillips, #27
LB, Kevin Pierre-Louis, #57
TE, Paul Quessenberry, #45
DB, John Reid, #34
DB, Justin Reid, #20
DL, Derek Rivers, #95
WR, Andre Roberts, #19
DB, Bradley Roby, #21
OL, Max Scharping, #74
DB, Tremon Smith, #24
OL, Jordan Steckler, #70
OL, Lane Taylor, #65
WR, Taywan Taylor, #37
QB, Tyrod Taylor, #5
DL, Vincent Taylor, #96
LB, Joe Thomas, #48
DB, Tavierre Thomas, #42
OL, Cole Toner, #66
OL, Laremy Tunsil, #78
DL, DeMarcus Walker, #44
LB, Garret Wallow, #32
TE, Kahale Warring, #87
QB, Deshaun Watson, #4
LS, Jon Weeks #46
