It was another fan day at the Methodist training facility and after a short practice Saturday evening, the team came out without a little more juice Sunday morning.
After a lackluster start to practice last week, the defense was rejuvenated by one of their youngest players, linebacker Christian Harris flashing his coverage skills and breaking up a pass intended for tight end Dalton Schultz.
Followed up by a good showing in their first preseason game, the defense has shown no sign of letting up as the culture and SWARM mentality that head coach DeMeco Ryans has been trying to instill is taking hold.
Defense continue to shine
With the Texans set to host the Miami Dolphins in a couple of joint practice sessions this week ahead of their game Saturday night at NRG, the Texans were a little more hyped up than usual Sunday morning.
In full pads and hitting a little harder today, Christian Harris delivered a good thud to running back Devin Singletary as he was forced out of bounds. The two mixed it up briefly before being separated.
The defense also had several takeaways during practice, including one created by veteran safety Jimmie Ward as he stripped receiver Noah Brown after a catch. Harris recovered the ball on the play, as he always seems to be in the area when a play is made.
Ward had a pretty hard hit on Tank Dell after a catch. Dell got up kind of gimpy and jogged off to the sideline.
After taking a series off, he came back in for the next series with CJ Stroud at quarterback.
After another strip by a Texans defender, cornerback Ka’dar Hollman returned it for a touchdown which ignited the crowd and the defenses sideline.
Linebacker Henry To’oTo’o looked really darn good again. He’s an absolute baller and like Christian Harris, just seems to be everywhere to make a play. He’s always in the mix.
George Fant is a beast
It wasn’t all about the defense Sunday morning. Offensive tackle George Fant was back at practice Sunday after taking a veteran's day off Saturday.
The 6’4, 310-pound linemen made sure Sheldon Rankins had an especially long day at the office.
Fant was an absolute terror for Rankins or anyone that lined up in front of him on Sunday, whether it was keeping the edge clean on a pass rush or looking like a road-grader as a run blocker.
It was by-far his practice since joining the Texans.
The Texans' first-team offensive line Sunday morning looked like this: LT Laremy Tunsil, LG Michael Dieter, C Juice Scruggs, RG Shaq Mason and RT George Fant.
Kenyon Green did not practice Sunday. He was in sweat pants and did not appear to be injured.
Second-year pro, lineman Austin Deculus ran with the second unit at right tackle.
Rookie lineman and sixth-round pick out of Notre Dame Jarrett Patterson practiced today.
Quarterbacks
To no one’s surprise, CJ Stroud continued to get all of the first team reps.
While Stroud made some really nice throws, particularly one to Noah Brown that went for about 40 yards. Brown, who easily beat Derek Stingley on a go-route blew past the second-year corner who failed to flip his hips in time and never recovered as Brown laid out to make the catch over safety Jimmie Ward.
Case Keenum was at practice Sunday morning but wasn't suited out. There's no word as to why he didn't practice.
In a flurry of roster moves ahead of Sunday workouts, the Texans signed second-year quarterback E.J. Perry to the squad. He took whatever third-string reps there were to take but when the Texans went live during team periods, Perry didn’t get any run.
Davis Mills had a good practice. He’s moving well in the pocket and doing a good job of extending plays by stepping up. Mills delivered some good balls today, one of which went for a touchdown to Mason Schreck.
Roster moves
The Texans also signed receiver Adam Humphries to the roster while cutting ties with cornerback Kendall Sheffield and undrafted rookie running back Xazavian Valladay.
Banged up
Hassan Ridgeway left practice early after about an hour. It didn’t appear to be a lower body injury as he walked into the training room under his own power. He did not return nor speak to the media as he was originally scheduled to take the podium Sunday.
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