After two consecutive days in full pads, the Houston Texans practiced in shorts for Day 13 of Houston Texans Training Camp presented by Xfinity. Head coach David Culley said that Wednesday's practice was, technically speaking, the end of camp although not much will change in the daily routine for the next few weeks.
"This week will basically be the last week we feel like we'll be in training camp mode," head coach David Culley said. "Next week we start into -- because next week is going to be the same as this week going into Dallas. We'll approach it as if it is a game week and we'll use the last week of preseason the same way as we are in -- in a regular game. So it gives us a chance to do that. Right now, we feel like that we still needed to stay in training camp mode."
The Texans will have just one more practice before leaving for Saturday's preseason game at Green Bay. Culley said that playing time will be determined after Thursday's practice.
In early team drills, Davis Mills had some impressive throws to Nico Collins and long bomb to Keke Coutee.
Jeff Driskel threw a beautiful pass to Brevin Jordan, who also made a spectacular play on a reception from Mills.
"This might be the best group of tight ends that we've had," Texans football analyst and sideline reporter John Harris said.
Rookie linebacker Garret Wallow said that grasping the mental aspect of the game is a challenge that he welcomes.
"It's a challenge but you like that challenge," Wallow said. "You start to really feed into that challenge and you see yourself growing day-to-day. Like I say, a bunch of the old guys have led me along the way and made that quite a bit easier for me."
In 7-on-7s Brandin Cooks made a leaping catch on a pass from Tyrod Taylor.
Phillip Lindsay had a nice run during 11-on-11s. The running backs group, led by veterans Mark Ingram and David Johnson will all get some playing time in the preseason games
"We've been trying to figure out what the right combination is for those guys," Culley said. "We feel like there's a role for all of those guys at some point and during the preseason, we'll find that out and what best fits from that standpoint."
Rookie defensive lineman Roy Lopez has earned a lot of praise for the Texans Camp he has had so far. His dad, also Roy Lopez, is the head football coach for Mesa Desert Ridge High School in Arizona. In his offseason, Lopez would work out with his dad's defensive line group. Now in Camp, Lopez credits the veterans on the team for helping him make the transition to an NFL defense.
"I keep saying, the vets, but it's the truth," Lopez said. "The way they taught me and brought me up throughout this whole camp is an every day thing, and I can't give them enough credit for mentally and physically just preparation, watching film on the field. You know, just constantly being in my ear, so that's something that has helped me along."
Defensive lineman Vincent Taylor says he is enjoying Lovie Smith's defensive scheme because it's "an attack defense and allows us to play fast," similar to how he played during his time with Miami.
Defensive back Tremon Smith picked off a pass and then got hit after the catch. Practice got a bit chippy, but Culley quickly stepped in and everyone got back to work.
"I think it's just guys out here competing," Vincent Taylor said. "Coach Culley doing a great job of making sure he getting that out of both sides of the ball, so it's good for the team."
Later in a two-minute drill, Vernon Hargreaves had an outstanding one-handed interception in the endzone.
I’m very close with my family after everything we went through with (Hurricane) Katrina, that brought us closer. To be out here in Houston with him, it's not like when I was in Miami and he have to get on a plane to come see me. Now he's not too far. I'm very family oriented, so to be in the same city and state with him, it's good. Defensive lineman Vincent Taylor
Prior to the interception, Davis Mills threw what appeared to be a touchdown pass to Chris Conley but it was ruled out at the one-yard line.
Wide receiver Taywan Taylor made some tremendous plays in practice and showed off his versatility. It's impressive considering Taylor, now in his fifth season, returned to practice just this week after being activated off the Reserve/COVID-19 list.
Houston Texans Training Camp presented by Xfinity is officially over for the fans, but check out a behind-the-scenes look at what it took to create the fan experience right next to the Houston Methodist practice fields.
