The Texans are close enough to their 2026 preseason debut that every snap is starting to matter for the right players. The stars may mostly be protected, but for a handful of fringe roster hopefuls, these next three games could shape where they stand when Week 1 arrives in September.
That’s especially true for Graham Mertz. Houston is not locked into carrying three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, and Mertz still has work to do if he wants to make that case stick.
He’s expected to get a healthy share of reps, particularly in the first game, and a strong showing would go a long way toward improving his standing as August rolls on. If he delivers, the Texans may be more willing to keep three quarterbacks heading into the opener.
Brevin Jordan is another name with plenty on the line, and his situation has become more complicated. The tight end room is crowded, with about five players in the mix for a roster spot, and Jordan is trying to reestablish himself after missing back-to-back years with season-ending knee injuries.
He had looked sharp in OTAs and minicamp, but he’s recently been held out of practice because of an injury, and it’s still unclear whether he’ll be ready for Thursday. Even so, the preseason will be a major proving ground for him.
Up front, the right tackle battle is still alive. Braden Smith is healthy again and was brought in this offseason with the expectation that he would start right away.
But Trent Brown has started to find his rhythm over the last few practices, and he’s pushing to keep that job heading into Week 1. Preseason reps should give him a chance to keep building that case, and if he does, a starting role is there for the taking.
Jake Andrews also enters preseason with something to prove. Houston’s offensive line is becoming easier to project, both in the starting five and on the bench, but Andrews has not yet fully locked down his place on the 53-man roster.
That stands out because he started every game for Houston at center in 2025. He doesn’t bring the versatility of Jarrett Patterson or Evan Brown, but the Texans may view him as their best pure center.
These preseason games will matter in making sure he stays in the mix for another year.
The linebacker group remains one of the most unsettled parts of camp, and injuries have only opened the door wider. EJ Speed’s quad injury left Houston’s LB3 spot available, and Jake Hansen’s ankle injury could keep him out of practice for several weeks.
That creates a real opportunity for Wade Woodard, the athletic day three rookie who could be in position to grab that role. A strong preseason start would help him turn that chance into something more.
Collin Wright has also emerged as one of camp’s more interesting surprises. The undrafted free agent has drawn praise from both DeMeco Ryans and Derek Stingley for the way he has attacked the offseason, and he’s starting to look like a dark horse for the 53-man roster.
A big preseason moment could push him even farther. If he comes up with an interception in one of the three games - something that fits his ball-hawking style - the coaches will have even more reason to keep talking about him and consider him for a bigger role.
Houston also made a move in the punter room ahead of preseason, cutting Jack Stonehouse and leaving Kai Kroeger as the only punter on the roster before the Chargers game. That gives Kroeger the job to himself for now, but it doesn’t make him safe.
The Texans still have more than a month before the regular season, and they could always bring in another punter before then. For Kroeger, these preseason chances are now critical.
In Other News...
DeMeco Ryans Sends Clear Message On Texans Rookies Camp Edge
Rookie offensive lineman Keylan Rutledge has made his presence felt early in Texans camp, and not just in the usual learning-the-playbook sort of way. The newcomer has been part of multiple physical altercations already, including a recent skirmish with All-Pro edge rusher Will Anderson Jr., giving Houston a front-row look at the kind of edge Rutledge brings to the line.
DeMeco Ryans has noticed, and the message from the head coach is clear: the Texans want toughness, but they also want it under control. Rutledge is still moving through his development and has put himself in the mix as a potential starter up front, which makes the next few weeks especially important as Houston tries to find the right balance between strain and discipline in camp. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Offense Is Already Confronting The Problem Fans Felt In January
The Texans are still carrying the aftereffects of a January finish that exposed how much work their offense has ahead, and offensive coordinator Nick Caley has already made it clear the priority is tightening things up and becoming more consistent. For Houston, that means more than just talking about scheme or play-calling - it is about building an offense that can sustain drives and answer the questions that lingered when the season ended.
Around the division, the Colts and Jaguars are spending camp getting key wideouts back on track, with Alec Pierce expected to be ready for the opener after offseason ankle surgery and Brian Thomas Jr. drawing praise for the way he has attacked his own offseason work. Those developments only sharpen the pressure on Houston to keep pace, because in a division where the passing game is always under scrutiny, the Texans cannot afford to be the team still searching for answers when everyone else is moving forward. [Read more 🡒]