Houston Texans vs. Minnesota Vikings: Preseason Game Preview

Zach Tarrant/ Houston Texans

As the Houston Texans gear up for their first preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings, there are several key areas to keep an eye on. Head coach DeMeco Ryans was clear during his Thursday presser: “It will be a mix, everybody’s kinda on their own plan... a handful of guys won’t see time at all, we’ll have a certain group of guys who are limited... you’ll see most of our young guys playing.” This suggests that we won’t be seeing many of the Texans' established starters on the field, which aligns with how Ryans has handled the preseason in the past. He’s been known to keep proven starters fresh, as we've seen in numerous scenarios even with minor injuries.

Offensive Observations:

1. Offensive Operations Under Nick Caley: While this game won’t showcase much of the new offense, with Nick Caley at the helm, I’m excited to see the operations of the offense overall. We expect a lot of presnap motion and in-snap movement in the regular season, so the preseason is the perfect opportunity to observe whether the offense can execute those fundamentals cleanly. Specifically, I’ll be watching for a few key things:

• Can the team minimize false starts, a problem last season?

• Are there clean center-to-quarterback exchanges?

• How efficiently can the offense get in and out of the huddle, allowing whoever is playing quarterback to properly diagnose the defense?

  
  

2. Running Back Battles: With Joe Mixon on PUP, Nick Chubb taking rest days, and Dameon Pierce not yet in full practice, expect a heavy dose of Woody Marks, Jawhar Jordan, Dare Ogunbowale, JJ Taylor and Brittish Brooks. Marks and Jordan have had standout camps, and I’m particularly looking forward to seeing how Marks performs as he looks to solidify the RB3 spot and potetially push into RB2. With the Texans moving toward more gap scheme run concepts, I want to see how these running backs execute plays like duo runs, which have been emphasized in camp.

3. Wide Receivers and Young Players: I dont expect C.J. Stroud to take a snap in this one, and I don’t expect much from starters like Nico Collins or Christian Kirk. Instead, expect to see a lot from young receivers like Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel and rookie Tackle Aireontae Ersery, all of whom are expected to play major roles this season. All of these guys I'd expect to get the opportunity to play nearly a half of football. Keep an eye on undrafted free agent Daniel Jackson as well, who has made some plays in camp.

4. Offensive Line Competitions: With the injury to left tackle Cam Robinson, Tytus Howard has been shifted from right guard to right tackle, and Aireontae Ersery has moved from right tackle to left tackle. This shuffle has created an opportunity for players to prove themselves at right guard, making the competition between Juice Scruggs and Ed Ingram particularly interesting. Additionally, the offensive line’s ability to pick up blitzes, including nickel and delayed blitzes, will be crucial. This was a major issue for the Texans last season, and with the new coaching staff in place, it will be important to see how well the O-line handles these challenges. Expect some exotic looks from defensive coordinator Brian Flores' scheme, which has given opposing offenses trouble in the past. Flores is known for his creative blitz packages, and despite it being a preseason matchup, it will be a good test for how well the Texans' revamped offensive line can handle these pressures. We all know Flores was the DC who gave the rest of the league the recipe to thwart Bobby Slowik's offense last year. Also, keep an eye on the center position, where Jake Andrews and Jarrett Patterson could see snaps as they battle for a spot.

5. Fullbacks and Tight Ends: One of the intriguing aspects of the Texans' offensive game plan this season is the increased use of 12 and 22 personnel, which features two tight ends and/or two running backs, including a fullback. These formations are a part of the new offensive philosophy under Nick Caley, who has a history of utilizing these sets effectively. The Texans will likely feature a mix of fullback and tight end play, with Jakob Johnson and Dalton Keene, both of whom have prior experience with Caley in New England, filling the fullback role. Watching how these two perform in the fullback role will be crucial, especially in terms of how they impact the running game and the overall blocking scheme.

At tight end, the focus will be on Luke Lachey, an undrafted free agent who has shown potential but is likely on the roster bubble. His development as a possible practice squad candidate could be key, particularly as the Texans look to build depth at the position. I wouldn’t be surprised if we also see some of Cade Stover, who has had a fantastic camp and is continuing to grow. Stover is a promising player who could play a role in this offense as he gains more experience. Additionally, it will be important to watch Brevin Jordan, who is returning from an ACL injury. Getting him back into the swing of game speed will be crucial, and this preseason game offers a valuable chance to see how he performs after his time off. The tight ends’ involvement in both the run and pass game, along with how they contribute in these heavier personnel sets, will be something to monitor. The Texans’ offensive personnel choices will be pivotal in this game, as they aim to establish more balance and versatility under Caley's system. How often they use the fullback and two-tight-end sets, and how effective they are, will give valuable insight into the offensive direction moving forward.

Defensive Observations:

1. Defensive Line and Edge Play: While the Texans’ defense is mostly set, there are still some interesting developments to watch. Darrell Taylor, a recent signing, could get some early snaps. The former Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks defensive end is an underrated signing, and it’ll be interesting to see what kind of impact he can make. I’ll also be watching for under-the-radar players like Junior Tafuna, a defensive tackle who has flashed potential during camp, and rookie linebacker Jamall Hill, who is one of the more intriguing developmental players.

2. Linebackers and Position Battles: The linebacker position for the Texans is loaded with competition, especially as the team looks to solidify depth behind the starters. E.J. Speed, another underrated signing, is one to watch. Although he may not see a ton of snaps in this game, Speed has been making plays in camp and is fighting for a potential starting role at the will linebacker spot. His experience and versatility will be key as the Texans look to bolster the linebacker room.

K.C. Ossai and Jackson Woodard, both undrafted free agents, find themselves on the far edge of the roster bubble. While they’ve impressed General Manger Nick Caserio with their effort and SWARM mentality during camp, they still have a lot to prove. Their primary path to the roster likely comes through special teams, and their performance there will be crucial. A strong showing at linebacker could bolster their chances, but they’ll need to continue earning their place with every rep.

On the other hand, Jake Hansen and Nick Niemann are more firmly entrenched as locks to make the team. They are now looking to lock down spots and prove they can be reliable depth pieces. Both have had solid camps and will use this game to further cement their roles as valuable contributors to the linebacker corps, even if their chances of making the roster are already high.

Jamall Hill is another player to keep an eye on. This preseason offers a chance to see how much growth Hill has made, a player that was initially a defensive back at Oregon. Hill has a unique skill set, with excellent speed and range that could potentially make him something special. His progress since being converted to linebacker will be important to track, and this game will give us an opportunity to see how far he’s come. While it’s a developmental spot for now, Hill’s versatility and athleticism could make him a player to watch in the coming seasons.

As for the starting linebacker corps, I don't expect Azeez Al-Shaair to play in this game, and expect little to no snaps from Henry To’oTo’ and Christian Harris likey in street clothes as he's yet to participate in a full practice. While the Texans have stability at linebacker with their starters, there’s still a lot to learn about the depth behind them.

The linebacker competition is fierce, with a mix of established veterans and young talent fighting for spots. Players like Speed, Hansen, Niemann, Ossai, Woodard, and Hill will all have opportunities to make their case in this preseason game, whether it’s through their performance on defense or special teams. The depth in this position group will be key for the Texans as they finalize their 53-man roster.

3. Secondary Depth and Young Defensive Backs: The Texans' secondary is an area to watch closely, especially with the injury to C.J. Gardner-Johnson, which opens up a potential starting spot. One player to keep an eye on is MJ Stewart, a veteran who could step into a starting role should C.J.G.J. be sidelined for an extended period. Stewart has proven himself in the past, and this preseason game will be crucial in assessing his readiness to fill that gap. Jaylin Smith, a third-round pick, is another player to keep an eye on as he lines up at cornerback. Smith has been a standout performer in camp, showcasing his versatility and ability to line up in various spots. He could solidify his place as cornerback three, but his performance in this game, particularly in matchups against different receivers, will be key to determining his role moving forward.

In addition to Stewart and Smith, Arthur Maulet, Damon Arnette, Tremon Smith, and Russ Yeast will all be fighting for spots in the secondary. Maulet, who was recently signed, has shown versatility, being able to play both nickel and outside corner, which increases his value to the team. Arnette, a former first-round pick, is looking to continue his comeback from off-field issues and show that he still has the talent to be a contributor. Meanwhile, Tremon Smith and Russ Yeast are veterans who have had flashes of stable play in the past and could provide depth in the secondary.

Special Teams Observations:

1. Long Snapper Battle: One of the more overlooked storylines is the battle at long snapper. Austin Brinkman, the rookie UDFA from West Virginia, has big shoes to fill after Jon Weeks was let go. While long snapper isn’t a position fans often think about, it’ll be interesting to see how Brinkman handles the pressure and if he can execute the role reliably.

2. Kick and Punt Returners: With Braxton Berrios expected to take the first reps at kick return, his performance here could go a long way in earning a roster spot. Berrios has the experience, and his ability to make smart decisions on returns will be critical. Jaylin Noel, on the other hand, has home run potential and will likely get a shot to prove his worth as both a kick returner and a punt returner. This is a big opportunity for players, and it’ll be fun to see how these roles develop.

Conclusion:

Overall, this preseason matchup between the Texans and Vikings will be a valuable opportunity for the coaching staff to evaluate the depth on the roster. While many key starters will likely sit, this game will provide a crucial look at the team’s younger players, position battles, and how well the new offensive and defensive schemes are coming together. Keep an eye on how the Texans handle the operations of the offense, how the running backs perform, and whether the defense can continue its dominant form from last season. This game is more about evaluation than anything else, but there will be plenty of exciting storylines to follow.