The Texans are heading into Week 1 with Tank Dell set to begin the season on injured reserve, and Nick Caserio made it clear the receiver is moving in the right direction even if he’s not there yet.
“He is close. He is not quite there, which is why he’s in the category that he’s in.
I think we’ll have a better idea with a lot of these guys after four weeks, four games, whatever it is. I’d say he’s definitely closer now than he was let’s say in Training Camp.
There’s a little bit more work that remains. But overall, he’s in pretty good spirits.
There are certain things we just have to see. Some of this too, is honestly for him mentally to make sure he has enough confidence that he can go out there and perform the way he’s capable of, the way he knows how to.”
Houston also kept undrafted DE Sabastian Harsh on the active roster, and DeMeco Ryans said Harsh forced the issue with the way he played.
“Earned his way onto the team, found way to make plays. You see a guy with the motor he has, strength he has, playmaking he has, the talent he has, we’re not going to let a guy like that get away.”
Ryans had similar praise for undrafted CB Collin Wright, pointing to his consistency and his ability to attack the ball.
“Very consistent, never shied away, found a way to make a play on the football. They earned the right to be on the team. Both guys can help us win football games.”
There’s also a new face in the Texans’ receiver room after the team acquired Kayshon Boutte from the Patriots. Boutte said he isn’t taking Mike Vrabel’s comment personally after Vrabel said he would’ve been inactive in New England, and he’s not treating it as “motivation” for Week 1.
On the offensive line, Caserio called G Keylan Rutledge “their best offensive lineman.”
He also explained the thinking behind the trade for OL Nate Thomas from Dallas:
“Coming out, raw player, but good size, strength. Had to block some decent players last year.
He played on both sides. Young player, that one came together pretty quickly Sunday, mid-day, we agreed on Dallas trade, hung up phone then agreed on San Fran trade (Jarrett Patterson), a player Cole (Popovich) like coming out.”
In Jacksonville, the Jaguars added quarterback Quinn Ewers from the Dolphins after the preseason, and GM James Gladstone said the deal came together after they looked at “a couple of different options.”
“We were exploring a couple of different options. Saturday morning was first time we engaged in conversations with Dolphins.”
Gladstone also said the team is comfortable discussing a possible extension with Parker Washington during the regular season. Washington is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and the Jaguars are “fine” with talking to his camp while the season is underway.
On the injury front, Gladstone said he’s confident right guard Patrick Mekari, who had back surgery, can be activated from injured reserve in Week 4.
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Jaguars Just Opened The Door For A Bigger Move Than Fans Expected
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General manager James Gladstone said the adjustment was designed to provide financial flexibility for possible roster additions or extensions down the line. Jacksonvilles cap space now sits at $14.22 million, a healthier position than earlier in the offseason, and it leaves the door open for something bigger if the right opportunity surfaces. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Fans Are About To Get An Unusual NFL Season Start
The NFL is shifting its 2026 regular-season start to Wednesday, Sept. 9, an unusual change prompted by a scheduling conflict with the leagues first regular-season game in Australia, which will air in the U.S. the following day. For Jacksonville fans used to the familiar Thursday-night launch, it means the new season will arrive a little earlier in the week than normal, with Seattle hosting New England in the opener.
It also keeps the football calendar moving in a way that should feel familiar enough for fans around here, even as the timing changes. College football already got underway on Saturday, Aug. 29, with Florida State opening its season, and Florida is set to play Sept. 5, so the stretch from late summer into early September is already packed before the NFL even gets its first whistle. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Suddenly Changed Course Behind Trevor Lawrence For One Big Reason
The Jaguars made a quick pivot behind Trevor Lawrence ahead of cutdown day, sending a 2028 sixth-round pick to Miami for quarterback Quinn Ewers. The move gives Jacksonville a new No. 2 quarterback and reshapes the depth chart at a spot the team wanted to stabilize before the roster deadline, with Nick Mullens no longer on the active roster after being released.
James Gladstone praised Mullens for the way he handled the situation, noting his professionalism and value to the team as Jacksonville kept him around on the practice squad. For the Jaguars, the transaction was less about the price tag than the protection it provides if Lawrence ever needs help, and it leaves one of the more interesting backup-spot decisions of the summer in a new place. [Read more 🡒]