Houston Texans complete third practice of 2024 training camp

The Houston Texans held their third practice of their 2024 training camp on Saturday at the Methodist Training Center. From a cosmetic and weather perspective, the practice was nearly identical to the first two. The team practiced in shorts and helmets with no pads, and the weather was unseasonably cool for most of the session.

The team will have a day off on Sunday (or at least not practice, as there may be film or gym work), then resume outdoor practice on Monday. Tuesday will be the first day fans will get a chance to observe the team. That said, here are some observations and notes from Saturday’s practice:

The coordinators speak!
In the past, the Texans’ coordinator hires have been very hit and miss. Some were very easy to get behind and follow with great enthusiasm (Wade Phillips, Romeo Crennel). Others were met with very negative reaction after many press conferences (Tim Kelly, Pep Hamilton, and Frank Bush come to mind). The current group is the perfect blend of insight, energy, and personality.

On Saturday, offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik answered questions like a guy who had a series of head coaching interviews, citing many “big picture” areas (team identity, culture) that he evaluated himself, as opposed to tactical aspects like play calls. Offensive coordinator Matt Burke had insightful perspectives on THIS Texans team’s offenses and defenses in particular, collaborating tactically more after plays and outside practices than the average team.

Then there was the star of Saturday’s press conference, special teams coordinator Frank Ross, who excelled at illustrating the magnitude of the unknowns surrounding the new kickoff rule and describing the trial and error that remains before figuring out how to optimally defend the play and execute the return:

Great analysis from Frank Ross on the new kickoff and how it will affect more than just the returning personnel.

He mentions the receivers on the kickoff. Ben Skowronek immediately comes to mind. pic.twitter.com/FVFzZFuvxA

— Houston Stressed (@TexansCommenter) July 20, 2024

The Texans worked almost as much on kickoff returns as they did on 11-on-11 offense and defense on Saturday. They have a TON of talent at returner right now, and at the same time, they’re rotating between different players and body types to block and tackle. It was very interesting to watch without protections, but with real blocking and near-tackles next week with protections, it’s going to get even more intriguing.

Blake Fisher’s Baptism of Fire
Laremy Tunsil didn’t participate in practice Saturday, recovering from a knee injury he played with for most of 2023. He practiced on the field, once again. In his place, the Texans gave rookie Blake Fisher all the reps at left tackle with the first unit. That’s translated into steady and obvious progression for Fisher, which is generating optimism about the kid’s future, with a few plays that remind everyone, “Oh yeah, he’s a rookie, and he’s going to go up against Will Anderson.”

Anderson has had his fair share of games where he has, quite frankly, outplayed Fisher throughout minicamp and this training camp. However, this is a GREAT experience for Fisher, who the team is clearly grooming for the 2024 center tackle role, and perhaps a starting role later. This is how the team can maximize its investment in Fisher’s second-round pick in the short term, making Tunsil’s absence a positive.

Other observations and practical notes

* KG Christian Harris didn’t practice Saturday and wasn’t even on the field. As I said in my report on Friday, the people I spoke to said it wasn’t a major issue. I just wonder how many practices we go without seeing Harris before the media starts making it a major issue. He’s not on any injured reserve list, so it’s certainly not the norm.

* RB How Mixon enjoyed a veterans’ day off on Saturday. Dameon Pierce did the lion’s share of the carries with the first team, and he’s very clearly the number two behind Mixon. Pierce continues to look like he’s going to be a relevant member of the offense again in 2024.

* On Saturday, there seemed to be a concerted effort to get the ball to Stefon Diggs, and he didn’t disappoint. On one play, Diggs caught a centering line, and instead of continuing to run with the ball in his hands in the direction it was headed, he caught the ball, stopped dead in his tracks, and darted into open space in the opposite direction. It was impressive, and in keeping with what Diggs has done so far.

* The play of the day Saturday was an absolutely beautiful deep ball from Davis Mills, who had a good day Saturday, to John Metchie III for a touchdown. Metchie beat CB Mike Ford on the play. It was an up-and-down day for Metchie, who also had a few bad passes in team drills.

* Derek Stingley had some nice pass breakups and still appears poised for a season where, if healthy, he could be in line for a huge contract extension in 2025.

* When the Texans let kicker Cam Johnston go as a free agent, I was a little concerned, as Johnston was one of the Texans’ best players at his position during the three seasons he was here. It appears the Texans have actually made progress at the position, however, with former Chiefs Pro Bowler Tommy Townsend. Townsend’s playing time has been absurd throughout camp, and since he’s mostly played inside this season, he could be primed for a return to Pro Bowl status.

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