The Houston Texans are gearing up for their first course of action Thursday night when they take on the Chicago Bears in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. Naturally, everyone is pumped to see C.J. Stroud in action for Year 2.
The big question is, will he or any of the other starters play meaningful reps on Thursday?
“When it comes to the Hall of Fame game, we’re still continuing to evaluate who will play,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said earlier this week. “We still we got a few days before we get there and we’ll evaluate who will play. If you look at the premise of it, you’ll definitely see a lot of our young guys in the Hall of Fame game and try to see those guys get as many reps as possible.”
Stroud, Stefon Diggs, Laremy Tunsil and others don’t need to see the field this week. Some might not see the field until Week 1 rolls around since they’re almost guaranteed to make the roster.
Right now, there are probably around 20-25 spots on the roster left available. The remaining spots have been locked up either because of contracts or proven production, meaning the preseason will be essential for these players to impress if they expect to make the final 53-man squad.
But which players should be considered “locks” to make the roster? Here’s Texans Wire’s list of players that should be on the field when Houston travels to Indianapolis to take on the Colts.
QB C.J. Stroud
(Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)
QB Case Keenum
Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (18) throws against the Tennessee Titans during the third quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023.
FB Andrew Beck
Sep 24, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Houston Texans fullback Andrew Beck (47) runs with the ball from a return kick with tight end Brevin Jordan (9) during the third quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-USA TODAY Sports
RB Joe Mixon
(Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union-USA TODAY NETWORK)
RB Dameon Pierce
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 08: Dameon Pierce #31 of the Houston Texans runs with the ball in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
WR Stefon Diggs
Jul 27, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs (1) during training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
WR Nico Collins
(Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports)
WR Tank Dell
Jul 27, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (3) during training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
WR John Metchie III
(Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)
TE Dalton Schultz
(Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)
TE Brevin Jordan
Houston Texans tight end Brevin Jordan (9) scores a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the second quarter at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas., Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023.
TE Cade Stover
Jul 27, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans tight end Cade Stover (87) during training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
OT Laremy Tunsil
(Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)
OT Tytus Howard
(Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)
OT Blake Fisher
Jul 27, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans offensive tackle Blake Fisher (57) during training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
OL Juice Scruggs
(Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports)
OL Shaq Mason
(Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports)
OL Kenyon Green
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 11: Kenyon Green #59 of the Houston Texans is helped off the field in the first half of a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 11, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
DE Will Anderson Jr.
(Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)
DE Danielle Hunter
Jul 27, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Danielle Hunter (55) during training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
DE Derek Barnett
Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) is sacked by Houston Texans defensive end Derek Barnett (95) on a fourth down during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas., Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023.
DE Jerry Hughes
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JANUARY 06: Jerry Hughes #55 of the Houston Texans reacts after the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 06, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
DL Denico Autry
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean-USA TODAY NETWORK)
DL Foley Fatukasi
Jul 27, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Ali Gaye (90) and defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi (91) during training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
DL Tim Settle
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer-USA TODAY NETWORK)
LB Christian Harris
Nov 5, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans linebacker Christian Harris (48) and safety Jalen Pitre (5) react after a defensive play at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
LB Azeez Al-Shaair
Jul 27, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (0) and linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips (13) walk on the field at Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
CB Derek Stingley Jr.
(Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)
CB Kamari Lassiter
Jul 27, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter (14) during training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
DB Jalen Pitre
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JANUARY 06: Jalen Pitre #5 of the Houston Texans reacts after the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 06, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
SAF Jimmie Ward
HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 05: Head Coach DeMeco Ryans of the Houston Texans talks with Jimmie Ward #1 before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at NRG Stadium on November 05, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
SAF Calen Bullock
Nov 26, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans defensive back Calen Bullock (7) runs the ball after an interception against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
LS Jon Weeks
(Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)
K Ka'imi Fairbairn
HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 05: Ka’imi Fairbairn #15 of the Houston Texans kicks a field goal in the second quarter of a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at NRG Stadium on November 05, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
P Tommy Townsend
(Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports)
