<\/p>\n
Texans receiver Tank Dell,\u00a0still recovering from a severe knee injury suffered nearly two years ago, will begin the season on injured reserve.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
The Houston Texans<\/a> released their initial 53-man roster Sunday evening, and it wasn\u2019t without a few surprises.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Texans cut one of their draft picks while several undrafted rookies made it. They also traded for Cowboys tackle Nathan Thomas, and traded Jarrett Patterson to the 49ers.\u00a0<\/p>\n Here are a half-dozen thoughts on the roster:\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Tank Dell to begin year on IR<\/p>\n Dell\u2019s journey to the field<\/a> might take a little longer than expected. The Texans are placing him on injured reserve with a designation to return, which means he\u2019ll miss the first four games of the season.\u00a0<\/p>\n He won\u2019t be eligible to return until Oct. 11, when the Texans play the Titans in Week 5.\u00a0<\/p>\n Dell initially suffered a major knee injury in December 2024 where he tore his ACL, MCL, LCL and other ligaments. He returned to practice<\/a> for the first time since that injury earlier this month.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n But he wasn\u2019t ready yet. Dell missed the final five practices of training camp, including the joint practice with the Carolina Panthers last week. He did not play in any of the three preseason games. Beginning the year on IR will allow him more time to get to full strength.\u00a0<\/p>\n When healthy, Dell was one of quarterback C.J. Stroud\u2019s favorite targets. He was on pace for a 1,000-yard season during his rookie year before a season-ending leg injury. In two seasons, he has 98 catches for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns.<\/p>\n A thin wide receiver corps\u00a0<\/p>\n The Texans plan to carry just five wide receivers on their initial 53-man roster, which was a bit of a surprise considering the injuries the Houston has had at the position in recent years.\u00a0<\/p>\n One injury could have the Texans gasping for air. But it\u2019s likely the Texans add a receiver on the waiver wire.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The receivers the Texans kept were Nico Collins, Xavier Hutchinson, Kayshon Boutte, Jaylin Noel and Jared Wayne.<\/p>\n OFFENSE<\/p>\n Quarterbacks (2) Running backs (3) Wide receivers (5) Tight ends (4) Offensive line (12) Defense<\/p>\n Defensive line (9) Linebackers (6) Defensive backs (9) Special teams<\/p>\n Specialists (3) Only three running backs<\/p>\n The Texans opted to keep just three running backs on the roster this year. They were David Montgomery, Woody Marks and British Brooks, who has made the team in each of the past three seasons.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Texans kept five running backs last season, so it\u2019s possible they could look to the waiver wire to add another back. But for now, they are going with just three.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Receiver Lewis Bond had a strong training camp, but\u00a0his lack of special-teams play may have kept him off the 53-man roster.<\/p>\n Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n Surprise cuts?<\/p>\n Perhaps biggest one that stood out was receiver Lewis Bond<\/a>, which the Chronicle first reported. Bond was a sixth-round pick and had performed well throughout training camp.\u00a0<\/p>\n Unfortunately, he had little special-teams value, which likely hurt his chances. He did return punts during the preseason, but he muffed a punt in Friday\u2019s preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers. Bond could return to the team on the practice squad.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Another surprise cut was third-year running back Jawhar Jordan.\u00a0<\/p>\n
C.J. Stroud
Davis Mills<\/p>\n
David Montgomery
Woody Marks
British Brooks<\/p>\n
Nico Collins
Xavier Hutchinson
Kayshon Boutte
Jaylin Noel
Jared Wayne<\/p>\n
Dalton Schultz
Foster Moreau
Marlin Klein
Cade Stover<\/p>\n
Aireontae Ersery
Trent Brown
Blake Fisher
Braden Smith
Nathan Thomas
Keylan Rutledge
Ed Ingram
Wyatt Teller
Febechi Nwaiwu
Evan Brown
Jake Andrews
Sam Hagen<\/p>\n
Will Anderson Jr.
Danielle Hunter
Jadeveon Clowney
Sabastian Harsh
Sheldon Rankins
Tommy Togiai
Kayden McDonald
Mario Edwards Jr.
Logan Hall<\/p>\n
Azeez Al-Shaair
Henry To\u2019oTo\u2019o
Jake Hansen
Wade Woodaz
Aiden Fisher
Jake Hummel<\/p>\n
Derek Stingley Jr.
Kamari Lassiter
Jaylin Smith
Tremon Smith
Collin Wright
Jalen Pitre
Reed Blankenship
Calen Bullock
Kamari Ramsey<\/p>\n
Ka\u2019imi Fairbairn
Kai Kroeger
Austin Brinkman<\/p>\n<\/p>\n