The Texans are dipping back into familiar territory at wide receiver, bringing TreyVhon Saunders onto the practice squad after Mitchell Tinsley was signed off Houston’s practice squad by the Cincinnati Bengals and added to their 53-man roster.
Saunders already knows the building. The rookie spent the offseason and preseason with the Texans, giving the team a chance to evaluate him before he was cut during the initial roster decisions. Now he’s back for another run in Houston, with a new chance to stick and keep developing.
He arrives with a strong college résumé from Colgate. Saunders went undrafted this spring after finishing as the program’s all-time leader with 230 receptions, making him one of the most productive receivers in school history. His last season was especially strong, when he caught 88 passes to set a single-season record at Colgate.
That production helped earn him three All-Patriot League selections and cemented his place among the top pass catchers the program has ever had.
Of course, the jump from the Patriot League to the NFL is a steep one. But Saunders isn’t starting from zero in Houston. Having already spent time in the Texans’ system, he comes back with some understanding of what the organization wants from him, and that familiarity could matter as he tries to carve out a longer stay.
For Houston, the move restores a developmental option at receiver after Tinsley’s departure to Cincinnati. Practice-squad players often become useful depth over the course of a season, especially when injuries and roster shuffling open the door.
Saunders now gets another shot to show he can be one of those players for the Texans. He missed the initial 53-man roster, but this return gives him more time to learn the offense, sharpen his route running and adjust to the NFL’s speed and physicality.
The opportunity is there. Saunders has already been around the program, and his college production gives Houston a reason to keep investing in him. Now it’s about using this second chance to push toward an eventual roster spot.
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Houstons early struggles have been tied to a shaky offensive line, a running game that has not found much traction and the absence of top target Nico Collins because of injury. Johnsons read is a reminder that the Texans fix is going to have to be more comprehensive than one quick change at quarterback, and the longer the losing continues, the more every part of the offense will stay under the microscope. [Read more 🡒]
Texans May Finally Get The Offensive Boost Their 0-3 Start Needed
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DeMeco Ryans sounded optimistic about both players chances to return, which would give Houston something it has not had since the opener: its full projected offensive lineup available at once. For a team still looking for a rhythm, getting Collins and Ingram back would at least offer a chance to see what this group looks like when it is finally intact. [Read more 🡒]