(SportsRadio 610) - The Texans have treated the entire training camp and preseason as a ramping up process for the guys they figure to be starters and regular contributors.
Their final preseason game Thursday gave them a short week to prepare, and head coach Lovie Smith told reporters this week, expect to see the regulars play more.
"This is the game we've kind of been shooting for to play the guys," Smith said. "I'm not going to say exactly how long right now, but a lot more."
With the active roster needing to be trimmed down to 53 by next Tuesday, Aug. 30, the Niners game is also the last opportunity for players fighting for a roster spot to "flash" as Smith said after Tuesday's practice.
The Texans can keep 16 players on a practice squad, as well as one additional international player if they so choose.
Here's a look at the positional locks to make the team and the battles to keep an eye on Thursday night.
Quarterback
There is a quarterback competition in camp. Kyle Allen and Jeff Driskel battling for a backup spot has grown to be fairly intriguing. Driskel led two game-winning drives against the Saints and Rams, but threw three picks in the Saints game, while looking much improved against the Rams.
Meanwhile, Allen has settled in nicely since learning Pep Hamilton's system.
"I've only really been in a Norv Turner-style offense, West Coast, terminology wise and kind of just scheme and philosophy," Allen said. "So, it took a little bit to kind of get changed over to that, but I feel like I am getting comfortable with it, and it makes a lot of good sense."
In last weekend's game against the Rams, his comfortability in the system became more evident as he competed nine of his 12 pass attempts for 71 yards, including a touchdown pass to rookie tight end Teagan Quitoriano late in the third quarter. It'll be interesting to see how much of a look he'll get in the finale on Thursday.
Running back
It remains to be seen if rookie Dameon Pierce will be the team's starting running back, but he's certainly being treated like it. Playing in the first preseason game against the Saints, before sitting out the Rams game, Pierce followed up an already impressive camp with a 49-yard performance on five carries, including one rush for 20 yards.
Marlon Mack continues to progress and look like he's still got enough juice coming off a ruptured Achilles injury suffered week one in 2020. He spent most of 2021 as a healthy inactive, carrying the ball just 28 times for Indianapolis.
Veteran Rex Burkhead has garnered plenty of reps in camp and has intrinsic value in the room as a mentor, pass catcher and special teams contributor.
Thus, Dare Ogunbowale and Royce Freeman figure to get plenty more reps Thursday night as the running back room seems set.
Don't be surprised to see Pierce get a series or two early just to keep him in a rhythm, given that he hasn't carried the ball since the third quarter against the Saints.
Fullback
Meanwhile, fullbacks Troy Hairston and Paul Quessenberry are in direct competition after the team cut Andy Janovich following the Rams game.
Smith seems impressed with Hairston's versatility as a converted defensive end, though Quessenberry has the most reps with the first team offense, and can play tight end as well. Keep an eye on who's making most of their reps Thursday night.
Tight end
Pharaoh Brown, Brevin Jordan, Mason Schreck, Seth Green and Teagan Quitoriano are battling for position in tight end room. Antony Auclair has spent most of the time watching from the sidelines due to injury.
The team will likely keep three tight ends and Brown, Jordan and Quitoriano seem to have the inside track. It's not inconceivable to think the Texans could stash a fourth on the roster if Quessenberry beats out Hairston for the fullback spot, given his versatility to play tight end as well. Schreck and Green have also had solid camps.
Wide receiver
The receiver room seems set with Brandon Cooks, Nico Collins, Chris Moore, Chris Conley, Phillip Dorsett and Jalen Camp.
On the outside looking in is Drew Estrada, Connor Wedington and Johnny Johnson III.
Offensive line
As far as the offensive line goes, Laremy Tunsil, Justin McCray, Justin Britt, AJ Cann and Tytus Howard figure to be the unit to start the regular season.
Meanwhile, Charlie Heck, Scott Quessenberry, Max Scharping along with rookies Austin Deculus and Kenyon Green, who just returned to practice as a full participant this past week should expect to see quite a few more reps Thursday night.
Don't be surprised if the teams former second round pick, Max Scharping is on the outside looking in at the end of cut downs. Green could go a long way in helping that potential decision along, as well as the versatility of veteran Justin McCray who can play either tackle spot and center position.
Lovie Smith says Green will get his first preseason action Thursday night.
"Kenyon has made a lot of progress. He'll play," Smith said. "He won't start, but we're going to get him into the mix. He's right on schedule."
What is on schedule for the Texans, though?
Whether Green projects to be apart of the starting unit week 1 against the Colts right now is the question and Lovie Smith addressed that Tuesday.
"Normally, a first-round draft pick will eventually move into that role, but it will play itself out," Smith said.
The number of reps and how effective and comfortable Green looks with the first unit could go a long way in determining how soon we can expect to see the Humble, Texas product as a starter. However, it's unclear if Green will have the opportunity to run with starters Tunsil and Britt on either side of him, as a test run Thursday, as neither have yet to play on the field together this preseason.
Still looking to leave an impression and make roster cuts more difficult on the coaches heading into Thursday's game are Jimmy Morrissey, Jordan Steckler, Cedric Ogbuehi, and Tre'Voir Wallace-Simms.
Defensive line
Defensively, Smith told reporters Tuesday that there is a set number of guys he likes to keep on both the defensive line and in the linebacker core, but that could be flexible.
"Gameday most of the time, we're going to dress at least eight defensive linemen. We're going to dress at least six linebackers. From there, the numbers get a little bit flexible."
This is where it could get interesting, as the defensive line unit is deep and that could leave the Texans more inclined to move on from Ross Blacklock.
Veteran defensive linemen like Mario Addison, Malik Collins, Jerry Hughes, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, along with third year pro Jonathan Greenard, second year nose tackle Roy Lopez and rookie Thomas Booker are stone cold locks.
If the Texans keep nine linemen, that means six of the following are competing for two roster spots, including Michael Dwumfour, Rasheem Green, Demone Harris, Kurt Hinish, Odeleye Adedayo and Derek Rivers. They've all had good camps and performed well in Smith's defense during two preseason games.
The Texans could decide to place Blacklock on the injured reserve list and see what players like Hinish, Dwumfour or Adedayo have to offer before making any final decision on Blacklock and his future with the team.
Linebacker
In the linebacker room, Christian Kirksey, Christian Harris, Kamu Grugier-Hill, Kevin Pierre-Louis and Blake Cashman are locks to make the roster.
Cashman has had health issues his entire career but has remained healthy thus far and has been a consistent presence at the MLB position.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Neville Hewitt have had really good camps as well and figure to be in Smith's plans for this defense.
If the Texans keep seven linebackers, decisions on the teams fifth round pick in 2021, Garrett Wallow, along with Jake Hanson have to be made after Thursday.
Wallow has an ankle injury and has missed both preseason games thus far. Smith hasn't expressed concern for Wallows injury being long term, thus he could be a candidate for IR, or the Texans may be in position to explore trade possibilities with such a deep linebacker core.
Cornerback
The secondary has begun to take shape in recent weeks.
As far as the cornerbacks go, rookie Derek Stingley Jr. along with Steven Nelson, Desmond King II, Tremon Smith and Isaac Yiadom are locks to make the squad given their draft status, overall performances and versatility in respect to King and Smiths value as kick and punt returners respectively.
That leaves competition for a sixth corner coming down to Kendall Sheffield and Jacobi Francis. Keep an eye on those two Thursday night.
Safety
Rookie safety Jalen Pitre, along with Jonathan Owens, Grayland Arnold and Eric Murray have the safety room on lock down. Arnold has garnered a lot of praise from coach Smith as a versatile player for them given ability to play the nickel corner as well.
Terrence Brooks is a special teams ace, but it remains to be seen how his play at safety this camp will factor into a return with the team this year. Only 25% of the snaps Brooks played last year came on defense. Keep an eye on him along with MJ Stewart and Tristan McCollum Thursday night as a final opportunity to flash for a roster spot.
