The end is near. The Houston Texans will wrap up their preseason on Thursday night, hosting the Los Angeles Rams at NRG Stadium. Though the game will be devoid of starters — as the dress rehearsal game took place in Dallas Week 3 — plenty of storylines will be worth watching; including these four.
4. Can anyone fill in for Lamar Miller?
The Texans lost Lamar Miller to a torn-ACL in Week 3 in Arlington. As of now, the team has yet to bring in a veteran running back, and it’s unclear if they will do so after other teams cut-down to 53.
For now, Bill O’Brien will have his watchful eye on those behind Duke Johnson on the depth chart.
Undrafted backs Damarea Crockett and Karan Higdon are those expected to help fill in for Miller; each has had impressive preseasons, with Crockett looking the part of a more explosive athlete.
Special-team aces Buddy Howell and Taiwan Jones both have shown promising qualities in the 2019 summer; but they’ll have to have outstanding performances to sniff making the roster as a pure back. Josh Ferguson, on the other hand, has lost significant snaps as his skill set is redundant with Johnson’s.
Something has got to give with a group of five running backs; in an ideal world, one proves they can handle a high workload on Thursday.
3. Will Lonnie Johnson have back-to-back outstanding performances?
Lonnie Johnson has played two preseason games; one allowing a touchdown versus the Packers, the other looking the part of a physical shutdown cornerback against the Cowboys.
According to Pro Football Focus, Johnson allowed just one reception for nine yards in Arlington last Saturday. The 6-2 corner played physically all night, while simultaneously blanking coverage mistakes that he struggled with in his first NFL performance. Per PFF, he allowed a 39.6 passer rating when targeted in Week 3.
With the Texans appearing poised to rest starting outside corners Johnathan Joseph and Bradley Roby, Johnson may see himself as a starter against the Rams. Not only will the snaps be a valuable experience to a rookie, but it’ll also be his time to prove that last week was no fluke.
2. Familiar faces that may face the chopping block
The end of the preseason is near; while that may be an exciting time for fans, for players entering the week as a fringe roster member, it’s a stressful period of time.
Unfortunately, many will see the chopping block; in turn, wearing Texans blue and red for a probable last time. While most cuts will be that of the undrafted free agent variety or journeymen, the Texans likely won’t beat around the bush parting ways with struggling familiar faces.
Tackle Julie’n Davenport and guard Martinas Rankin were once-promising pieces for the Texans line; but, if they can’t show potential can turn into production, both may be gone. A few of the previously mentioned running backs will be out the door; and the same with nearly every position group on the team.
Week 4 of the preseason is the last chance for those outsiders to become insiders for the 2019 season.
1. Unlikely players that will stay on for 2019
On the opposite end of the spectrum, some Texans that started training camp on the roster bubble are now firmly in the hunt to stay in Houston for 2019.
Receiver Tyron Johnson and left tackle Roderick Johnson were once regarded as potential cuts. But, outstanding training camps and preseason performances have shifted that thought process. Tyron with his speed and Roderick with his marked improvement and impressive tape from the preseason.
On the defensive side of the ball, Albert Huggins was once a promising undrafted pickup with a need to crack a deep interior defensive line position group. Through the preseason, he’s done just that; as the former Clemson Tiger has produced in each of the three games.
But, if Bill O’Brien is completely sold on those once-fringe roster members, Week 4 will be the time for the inner salesmen to come out of the aforementioned.
