(SportsRadio 610) - The Texans began the day with 80 players on the roster, they've got it down to the mandated 53-man roster to begin the regular season.
The roster could continue to undergo a number of changes between now and Sept. 11, when they kick off at NRG Stadium against the Indianapolis Colts, as they scour the waiver wire around the rest of the league to create depth in the receiver core and secondary.
Here's how they got there.
Today the Texans cut the following players:
DL Demone HarrisS Terrence Brooks
C Jimmy Morrissey
TE Seth Green
QB Jeff Driskel
WR Drew Estrada
CB Jacobi Francis
CB Kendall Sheffield
OL Tre'Vour Wallace-Simms
S Grayland Arnold
FB Paul Quessenberry
OL Jordan Steckler
S Tristin McCollum
TE Mason Schreck
WR Connor Wedington
LB Kevin Pierre-Louis
RB Marlon Mack
**Traded DL Ross Blacklock and a 7th round pick to Minnesota for a 6th round pick.
OL Max Scharping
WR Jalen Camp
WR Johnnie Johnson III
DL Adedayo Odeleye
WR Chris Conley
Here's the initial 53-man roster as it shapes up at the close of business Tuesday.
Quarterback (2) - Davis Mills, Kyle Allen
Davis Mills enters his first full year as the starter for this team and will have the former Aggie and Cougar as his backup. After a slow start to camp and missing time with COVID, Allen settled in nicely showing comfortability in Pep Hamilton's offense, accuracy, poise and continuity with receivers.
Cut - Jeff Driskel.
He led two game winning drives in during the preseason against both the Saints and Rams, struggled with his accuracy and threw three interceptions during the preseason. The Texans could bring him back as a member of the practice squad according to reports.
Running back (4) - Dameon Pierce, Rex Burkhead, Dare Ogunbowale, Royce Freeman
Pierce hasn't been named the starter but has certainly been treated like one, and for good reason. In two games this preseason, he carried the ball 11 times for 86 yards and a touchdown. He'll be backed up by Rex Burkhead, Dare Ogunbowale and Royce Freeman.
Cut - Marlon Mack
The fact that Mack was getting such a late look in the final preseason game should've been a hint. He looks like he has something left, but maybe just not what the Texans are looking for. The emergence of the rookie Dameon Pierce likely had a lot to do with this move.
Fullback (1) Troy Hairston
He's a defensive tackle convert and his overall athleticism and versatility as a special teams player earned him a spot.
Cut - Paul Quessenberry
The job very well could gone to Quessenberry, as he did have a really good camp and preseason, but Hairston outshined him in the latter stages of camp and seems to be a better fit for the style of tough running football Lovie Smith wants.
Wide receiver (4) Brandon Cooks, Nico Collins, Chris Moore, Phillip Dorsett
This is a group in which the Texans will look very hard at the waiver wire to find quality depth. They need another receiver with speed and a big body that can compliment Collins.
Cut - Chris Conley, Jalen Camp, Connor Wedington, Johnny Johnson III, Drew Estrada
Conley could've easily made this team and it's surprising he didn't. He was a solid receiver and a good veteran that young players on both sides of the ball listened to and learned from. Camp flashed early in the preseason but didn't do enough to warrant an extended stay, though could wind up on the practice squad. Connor Wedington flashed early in camp as a receiver and return man but never separated himself. Johnny Johnson III is another strong candidate for the practice squad.
Tight end (3) Brevin Jordan, Pharoah Brown, Teagan Quitoriano (Begins season on short-term IR)
Jordan and Brown look like favorites in Pep Hamilton's offense, while Quitoriano, after a solid camp, looks like he could rival for playing time if he continues to develop as a blocker and playmaker.
Cut - Mason Schreck, Seth Green, Antony Auclair
Veteran Antony Auclair had been injured and watching from the sidelines most of camp, it's hard to make a team like that, even when they know your capabilities. Last year, is last year. Meanwhile, Schreck impressed as a pass catcher and Green showed potential as both a pass catcher and blocker. Both should be considered strong candidates to return to practice squad.
Offensive line (9) Laremy Tunsil, Kenyon Green, Justin Britt, AJ Cann, Tytus Howard, Charlie Heck, Austin Deculus, Scott Quessenberry, Justin McCray
Cut - Jimmy Morrissey, Tre'Vour Wallace-Simms, Jordan Steckler, Max Scharping, Cedric Ogbuehi
Scharping played a lot this preseason and wasn't bad, but Kenyon Green, as Lovie Smith has said numerous times, is a first round pick for a reason. Green, playing like it as well spelled the end for Scharping as a member of the Texans. Morrissey could return to the practice squad, but a lot of teams could be looking for depth at center and while Morrissey never challenged Quessenberry, he may latch on elsewhere.
Defensive line (10) Jonathan Greenard, Jerry Hughes, Malik Collins, Mario Addison, Rasheem Green, Roy Lopez, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Thomas Booker IV, Kurt Hinish, Derek Rivers (Begins season on IR)
Kurt Hinish is the surprise of the group. He stuffed the run and collapsed the pocket consistently in opportunities this preseason, compiling a couple sacks and three tackles for loss. It's a deep group on the line and a good mix of veteran and younger players. Okoronkwo figures to be an asset as a key disruptor when given the opportunity as he swarmed the ball this preseason. It'll be interesting to see what the carry over from preseason to regular season is with the pass rush and back for creating turnovers.
Cut - Demone Harris, Adedayo Odeleye
Demone Harris swarmed the football in the preseason, showed he could be disruptive and was an asset on special teams. He's a victim of circumstance in a deep position group, as is Odeleye, who caught the eye of coaches and teammates for his relentless style and special teams play.
Linebacker (8) Christian Kirksey, Kamu Grugier-Hill, Christian Harris, Blake Cashman, Garret Wallow, Neville Hewitt, Jake Hanson, Jalen Reeves-Maybin
When healthy, this is a deep group. Christian Kirksey and Garret Wallow have nursed injuries for most of camp and preseason but figure to be on the mend and close to contributing. Cashman provides a viable backup at MLB and is a special teams ace. He's been plagued with injury in each of his first three years in the league but has been healthy thus far.
Cut - Kevin Pierre-Louis
With a youth movement taking place in the rebuild, the Texans ran out of room for Pierre-Louis as Kirksey and Wallow get healthy and come into their own.
Cornerback (5) Derrick Stingley Jr., Desmond King II, Steven Nelson, Tremon Smith, Tavierre Thomas
This group is fast, physical and versatile as they all add value on special teams (Smith and King are kick and punt return men opp respectively). Tavierre Thomas, who started eight games for the Texans last year, was having a good camp but injured a quad recently and is out indefinitely.
Cut - Kendall Sheffield, Jacobi Francis, Isaac Yiadom
Yiadom is a surprise. He had a strong camp and preseason, nearly made one of the more exciting interceptions you'll see in any game. Wouldn't be surprised if he found a landing spot elsewhere. Francis had a solid preseason and should be a candidate to make the practice squad. Sheffield never separated himself.
Safety (4) Jalen Pitre, Jonathan Owens, MJ Stewart, Eric Murray
Pitre is going to ball out. He alongside Owens this preseason have developed a good chemistry. Murray restructured his contract this off-season and him making the team is a bit surprising, given he didn't standout and it wouldn't have cost much to cut him. The Texans opted to go with his veteran presence and versatility. Meanwhile Stewart will be given a shot to capitalize on a solid camp and preseason.
Cut - Terrence Brooks, Grayland Arnold, Tristin McCollum
A bit surprising that both Brooks and Arnold were cut loose. Arnold's versatility to also play the nickel and contribute on special teams made him seem like a lock. I'd be equally as shocked if Arnold cleared waivers and returned to the practice squad. Brooks' contributing on special teams and a veteran presence behind Pitre was what I thought had him a spot on this roster.
Specialists (3) Jon Weeks (LS), Ka'imi Fairbairn (K), Cam Johnston (P)
Shaun Bijani has spent the last 16 years covering the Houston sports scene for SportsRadio 610. Follow him on Twitter @ShaunBijani.
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