The 2026 NFL training camps have kicked off around the league, and our team reporters are on the ground each day following all the action. The Houston Texans' camp is taking place in Houston at at NRG Park., and Texans reporter D.J. Bien-Aime has the latest intel on standouts, highlights, position battles, depth chart movement, cut decisions and of course the quarterback room.
What follows is everything we are seeing and hearing at camp. We will update this file often. Who are the breakout players to watch, especially for fantasy football? And which players on the roster bubble could make the final 53?
Dive in to all the updates and be sure to check back for more information until the first full week of the preseason begins Aug. 13.
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Latest news from Texans camp
Tuesday, Aug. 11
Coach DeMeco Ryans called Tuesday's indoor practice "outstanding," after characterizing Monday's practice as subpar. You would have never thought there's a Thursday preseason game against the Chargers looming as the physicality was intense. There were several plays with players driven to the ground or tackled.
There was even a dust-up between center Keylan Rutledge and All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr. that exceeded the typical millisecond hand locking of helmets. Anderson and Rutledge engaged in shoving even through their teammates' attempts at separation.
The defense forced turnovers, highlighted by linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair intercepting quarterback C.J. Stroud's tipped pass. But Stroud also connected for a 80-yard touchdown to running back David Montgomery down the sideline.
Monday, Aug. 10
For the Texans' first preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, coach DeMeco Ryans said, "We'll have a select group of guys who will not go out there and play."
So don't expect the key starters to play much. Anticipate seeing only rookie starters, such as center Keylan Rutledge, and a few second-year players, such as wideout Jayden Higgins and left tackle Aireontae Ersery.
The preseason opener will be about early impressions from younger players and seeing where they are with depth. It'll be about seeing the guys they'll have to make decisions on to fill out the back end of the roster with limited spots among the starters being unsettled.
Saturday, Aug. 8
The Texans held a night practice on Saturday. It was not pretty for the Texans offense as quarterback C.J. Stroud had many incompletions and the run game had little running room.
However, the defense displayed the potential of a top-three unit in the NFL. There were plenty of sacks, an interception from Pro Bowl safety Calen Bullock and pass break ups. But most importantly, they're not satisfied. Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke's assessment of the defense was "okay."
Burke said Houston is chasing perfection defensively.
Friday, Aug. 7
After an off day, the Texans dialed back their intensity as they went through drills without pads, but notably, wide receiver Tank Dell practiced for the second straight day of training camp, albeit in a limited capacity.
It's another step in Dell's recovery, with Wednesday being his first time practicing since he suffered multiple torn ligaments and a dislocated kneecap in Week 16 of 2024.
Speaking to the media for the first time, Dell said he had no fear in the strength of his knee, pointing towards Houston's doctor stating his knee is "100 percent stable."
"Trusting the work you put in prior to going out there," said Dell when asked about trusting in his health. "Going out there to put your foot in the ground, trusting the process with the training staff and what they had set out for me. So when I got out here, I wasn't scared."
Wednesday, Aug. 5
Wideout Tank Dell made his return to the practice field, participating in limited capacity. It marked the first time he engaged in any sort of team padded practice since Week 16 of 2024 after the 2023 third-round pick suffered multiple torn ligaments and a dislocated kneecap against the Chiefs.
He caught a few passes from quarterback C.J. Stroud during individual drills and ran full speed routes.
Dell didn't do much more after that, but this is the step in the right direction. Coach DeMeco Ryans won't rush Dell back and said "Tank is on the right plan." The goal is have him ready for team 11-on-11 contact reps. He still has a ways to go, but this is positive progress.
Other observation:
Wideout Jayden Higgins continue to flash throughout practice. He made another impressive catch with Derek Stingley Jr. in coverage. It was a tightly contested catch but that's always a positive because it's against an All-Pro corner.
Tuesday, Aug. 4
Texans wideout Jayden Higgins is starting to blossom as he's entering Year 2. When Pro Bowl wideout Nico Collins was asked about Higgins' progression he said "He's hooping right now, and I can't wait to see him rock out when it really matters."
During Tuesday's practice, Higgins made multiple catches with All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. in coverage. One of those receptions occurred during a team third-down period for a 20-yard gain. The other one was during 1-on-1s -- where Stingley tried to aggressively jam Higgins, but he avoided the powerful jab and broke free for an easy toss from quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Early in camp, Stroud said he expected Higgins to have a "dominant" Year 2, and so far we are starting to see it.
Other observation:
Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair was slow to get up after a collision with tight end Dalton Schultz. Al-Shaair was fine shortly after.
Monday, Aug. 3
This was Day 1 of padded practices, and the defense shined. Quarterback C.J. Stroud was forced to hold the ball longer than he would like as the secondary coverage was stout.
Stroud occasionally scrambled more than usual to buy time to make throws and the defensive line forced a few sacks. Safety Calen Bullock intercepted Stroud.
Also coach DeMeco Ryans used exotic blitzes throughout the day, and the offense sometimes had answers and other times didn't. Ryans deemed the first day in full pads as "successful."
Other observation:
First-round pick Keylan Rutledge is adding an extra juice of aggression to the unit. He got into a mini tussle with defensive end Danielle Hunter after a successful run play by running back Woody Marks.
Saturday, Aug. 1
Saturday's padless practice featured more back and forth from the offense and defense. Some periods the defense dominated and others, the offense was able to counter their blitzing.
The Texans start padded practices on Monday and that will be a "big part" of the evaluation process for the team according to coach DeMeco Ryans.
The fourth-year head coach said: "There's a lot of all-stars in shorts," and later added the staff wouldn't be fooled by what players have done without pads.
Another observation:
Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr collided with linebacker Henry To'oTo'o and was slow to get up, but he shook it off and was back on the field.
Friday, July 31
It was mainly walk-throughs for the Texans. It's a theme that's been consistent for coach DeMeco Ryans throughout the offseason -- where he has focused on helping his team mentally work toward executing deep in the playoffs.
"I've grown as a head coach," Ryans said in June. "For me, it's more so now about how much smarter can we play as a team. How can we be more elite on our execution? Our communication, can it be louder? Can we echo it more? Can we truly be tied together every time we line up? That's what I've seen when I talk about the process of us this year being better."
Saturday's practice will be the first day with fans in attendance since training camp has opened. That will be a longer practice with more intensity compared to today's practice that was roughly a little over an hour.
Thursday, July 30
The passing attack was centered around the quick game time to throw on Day 2 of practice. Quarterback C.J. Stroud was quick and decisive with his throws with all but one of his throws being made under 2.8 seconds, and his only rep over three seconds was when he extended the play and tried to find wideout Jayden Higgins in the back of the end zone.
It fell incomplete, but the majority of his throws came with precision and decisiveness. Stroud was able to connect a few times with Higgins, who's development in Year 2 will be huge for the offense.
Other observation:
Backup cornerback Alijah Huzzie was able to make a nice interception off of backup QB Davis Mills -- where took the ball away from the intended receiver.
Wednesday, July 29
The Texans were more forthcoming regarding contract discussions than normal. General manager Nick Caserio said there's a "possibility" the team and quarterback C.J. Stroud can reach a contract extension. Stroud isn't focused much on contract discussions; he's letting his agent handle it as he is "keeping the main thing the main thing."
Stroud is going into Year 4 and is eligible for an extension for the first time in his career. Coach DeMeco Ryans said he doesn't get into a lot of deep discussions with guys when it comes to contract situations.
But he added, "I truly believe you get the contract by what you do on the field. It doesn't matter what you say, what I say. It's about how you perform on the field, and if you're worthy of getting a contract and you deserve it, it'll happen for you."
Other observation:
CB Kamari Lassiter intercepted Stroud with a diving catch and then punted the ball in celebration. That was the most exciting play on a relatively quiet morning.