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, #56 (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

QB, Kyle Allen, #3

RB, Darius Anderson, #30

DB, Grayland Arnold, #35

TE, Antony Auclair, #83

DL, Ross Blacklock, #90

DL, Thomas Booker, #96

OL, Justin Britt, #68

DB, Terrence Brooks, #8

TE, Pharaoh Brown, #85

RB, Rex Burkhead, #28

WR, Jalen Camp, #17

OL, A.J. Cann, #60

LB, Blake Cashman, #53

DL, Maliek Collins, #97

WR, Nico Collins, #12

WR, Chris Conley, #18

WR, Brandin Cooks, #13

TE, Darrell Daniels, #47 (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

WR, Davion Davis, #14

LB, Tae Davis, #19

OL, Austin Deculus, #76

WR, Phillip Dorsett, #4

QB, Jeff Driskel, #6

DL, Michael Dwumfour, #98

WR, Drew Estrada, #81

K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, #7

DB, Jacobi Francis, #38

RB, Royce Freeman, #26

OL, Carson Green, #62

DL, Jonathan Greenard, #52

WR, DaeSean Hamilton, #5

OL, Kenyon Green, #59

DL, Rasheem Green (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)

LB, Kamu Grugier-Hill, #51

LB, Christian Harris, #48

DL, Demone Harris, #94

WR, Damon Hazelton, #86

OL, Charlie Heck, #67

LB, Neville Hewitt, #43

QB, Kevin Hogan, #16 (AP Photo/Stew Milne)

OL, Tytus Howard, #71

DL, Jerry Hughes, #55 (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

FB, Andy Janovich, #41

An image from the Aug. 21, 2021 Houston Texans preseason game 2 against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. The Texans won 20-14.

WR, Johnny Johnson III, #89

P, Cameron Johnston, #11

TE, Brevin Jordan, #9

DB, Desmond King II, #25

LB, Christian Kirksey, #58

DL, Roy Lopez, #91

RB, Marlon Mack, #2

DB, Tristin McCollum, #39

OL, Justin McCray, #64

WR, John Metchie III, #88

QB, Davis Mills, #10

WR, Chris Moore, #15

OL, Jimmy Morrissey, #79

DB, Eric Murray, #23

DB, Steven Nelson (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

DB, Steven Nelson, #21

DL, Adedayo Odeleye, #75

OL, Cedric Ogbuehi, #77

RB, Dare Ogunbowale, #33

DL, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, #45

DB, Jonathan Owens, #36

RB, Dameon Pierce, #31

LB, Kevin Pierre-Louis, #57

DB, Jalen Pitre, #42

FB, Paul Quessenberry, #45

OL, Scott Quessenberry, #54

TE, Teagan Quitoriano, #84

LB, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, #34 (AP Photo/Lon Horwedel)

DL, Derek Rivers, #95

OL, Max Scharping, #74

DB, Kendall Sheffield (AP Photo/Kevin Sabitus)

DB, Tremon Smith, #24

OL, Jordan Steckler, #70

DB, M.J. Stewart, #29

DB, Derek Stingley Jr., #24

DB, Tavierre Thomas, #37

OL, Laremy Tunsil, #78

LB, Garret Wallow, #32

WR, Connor Wedington (AP)

LS, Jon Weeks #46

DB, Isaac Yiadom, #20