Some big names from the defensive side of the ball might pop up on special teams in 2016.
J.J. Watt.
Whitney Mercilus.
Kareem Jackson.
Johnathan Joseph.
Even Jadeveon Clowney.
"Well, he can help us on special teams," head coach Bill O'Brien said Wednesday. "A lot of these guys
can. Whitney was out there. John Simon and J.J. when he gets back can help us in certain ways on special teams. I think Kareem Jackson has been out there. Johnathan Joseph has been out there at times on special teams."
In both coverage and the return game, O'Brien and company intend to improve. There's a new coordinator in charge of that in special teams guru Larry Izzo.
"We've got to be better on special teams and if that means some starters need to be on special teams, they are willing to do it," O'Brien said. "That's what's the good thing about these guys.
O'Brien and the Texans will be outside at the Houston Methodist Training Center for Thursday's training camp practice.
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