The 53 men who will be charged with restoring the Houston Texans to respectability are in place after the team made its final roster cuts on Saturday afternoon. While there were very few surprises as the Texans roster took shape, there may be more moves to come before Houston kicks off the 2014 season against Washington at NRG Stadium next Sunday.
As was announced earlier in the week, the Texans will enter the season with all three quarterbacks who saw preseason action on the 53-man roster. Ryan Fitzpatrick is firmly entrenched as the starter after both Case Keenum and rookie fourth-rounder Tom Savage did little to challenge for the starting spot (a fact that is more than a little disappointing for many Texans fans, considering that Fitzpatrick didn’t exactly set the world on fire). New England backup Ryan Mallet’s name popped up (again) as a possible option when it was rumored that the Patriots might cut the former Arkansas product, but Mallet remains a member of the Patriots after surviving Saturday’s final roster cuts.
Arian Foster will look to return to form (while being the best teammate he can be) after a number of nagging injuries crippled his 2013 season. He’ll be joined in the backfield by Jonathan Grimes, who was very impressive while carrying the load in the preseason. LSU rookie Alfred Blue, veteran Ronnie Brown and rookie fullback Jay Prosch round out the Texans backfield.
One of the more intriguing battles was at the wide receiver position, where veterans Mike Thomas and Keyshawn Martin outlasted fan favorites and former Texas A&M products Travis Labhart and EZ Nwachukwu. Labhart, a Wes Welker-type who personifies every stereotype imaginable for a short, white wide receiver (scrappy, great route runner, superb hands), has reportedly been offered a spot on the team’s practice squad should he clear waivers. Thomas and Martin join starters Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins, as well as fourth-year man DaVier Posey.
Fans who have been critical of general manager Rick Smith’s recent draft decisions (namely the 2013 debacle) acquired further ammunition Saturday as the team released 2011 second-round pick Brandon Harris. Harris never came close to justifying his draft position, as the beleaguered cornerback leaves Houston having registered zero interceptions and zero sacks in his three seasons with the team.
While the current roster sits at 53 players, those on the bubble shouldn’t get too comfortable, as the Texans hold the top waiver position as a result of finishing with the league’s worst record a season ago. Houston still has needs in the secondary and linebacking corps, and could very likely use their prime waiver position to add several players before opening day. Expect Bill O’Brien and company to have a busy weekend combing over the scrap heap for a few potential castoffs that may fit well in the Texans’ 2014 plans.
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