3 New Faces at Houston Texans Training Camp You Might Have Forgotten About

The Houston Texans were a headline-grabbing team this past offseason. Signing and trading countless former Pro Bowlers, this team looked for ways to improve at every position possible. They had varying degrees of success, but overall, the club did a great job of improving everywhere they could.

Even the defensive tackle position looks better on paper than it does in 2023. That’s a low bar, sure, but still. Still, not all of the names that arrived after the offseason had the same level of notoriety and hype as Stefon Diggs and Danielle Hunter. Some arrived with a little less enthusiasm.

These are three of those names that haven’t gotten the attention they should have, which unfortunately makes some fans forget they even exist.

Jacob Phillips

Jacob Phillips, who comes over from the Cleveland Browns, is a player who could be useful against rushing attacks, but he might struggle to stay on the field. He’s a solid player, no doubt, but he might not be good enough to take the starting job away from someone. However, if anyone can be replaced at linebacker, it might be Herny To’oto’o. If Phillips can get healthy and stay there, while also outperforming To’oto’o, Phillips might not be a name people forget anymore.

Tommy Townsend

Taylor Swift’s favorite punter, Tommy Townsend, is now a player for the Houston Texans. The former Pro Bowler arrived in Houston with a fraction of the popularity that guys like Hunter and Diggs enjoyed. Still, Townsend will likely be one of the most influential players on the team, as he’ll be a big reason his team’s defense has such a great starting position.

Jerry Hughes

We’re cheating here, because Jerry Hughes is not “new.” The defensive lineman has been here for what will now be his third season, making him a veteran player and one of the most experienced players as well. Unlike some of the other players on the team, however, his contract expired. After spending a few weeks considering offers, the Texans recalled him. He’ll likely be a drifter, going from outside to inside and wherever the team might need him. He’s flown under the radar in 2023, but if he can put together another solid season of production, Hughes could become a big part of the team’s championship run in 2024.