Texans to have eight open training camp practices

When the Texans open training camp, they’ll do so with one of the most talented rosters in the league.

Between Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud, last year’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, Pro Bowl defensive end Will Anderson Jr., last year’s NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, and lineups that include wide receivers Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins and Tank Dell, Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil, tight end Dalton Schultz, running back Joe Mixon, Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter, linebackers Azeez Al-Shaair and Christian Harris and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., there are high expectations surrounding the defending AFC South champions.

The Texans have been open throughout the offseason discussing their ambition of becoming a Super Bowl team after going 11-8 last season and winning one playoff game.

The Texans’ first training camp practice is set for July 18 at the Houston Methodist Training Center with eight practices open and free to fans with tickets to be made available on Ticketmaster.com at 10 a.m. Thursday morning.

The eight open practices: July 23 and July 24, July 26, July 27, July 29, Aug. 11, Aug. 21 and Aug. 22. All of those practices start at 9 a.m. with the exception of a night practice Aug. 11.

The Texans open the preseason Aug. 1 against the Chicago Bears in the Hall of Fame game, preceding wide receiver Andre Johnson’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, followed by three practices in Huntington Valley, Ohio in the Cleveland area on Aug. 5, Aug. 6 and Aug. 7 before an Aug. 9 preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

There will be a joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams on Aug. 22 in Houston before a preseason game at NRG Stadium.

“It’s been an extremely exciting offseason for us, and we are looking forward to building on that heading into training camp,” Texans principal owner Cal McNair said in a statement. “We can’t wait to celebrate and connect with our fans while debuting the organization’s new look. With the leadership of Nick Caserio and DeMeco Ryans, our team will be prepared to improve and compete every single day, including when we host joint practices with the Rams.

“We are also looking forward to honoring and celebrating Texans Legend Andre Johnson through the franchise’s first Hall of Fame enshrinement this August. Our ultimate goal is to win and make H-Town proud with everything we do. We can’t wait to kick off the 2024 season.”

The Texans’ lineups are largely set except for the left guard and cornerback spot opposite Stingley. Following the Texans’ full-team minicamp, the leaders for those spots were third-year offensive lineman Kenyon Green and rookie corner Kamari Lassiter.

Green will face competition from Kendrick Green and Jarrett Patterson. Lassiter is competing with veterans Jeff Okudah and C.J. Henderson.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans, a runner-up last year for NFL Coach of the Year, is pleased with the direction of the team and the work of his staff.

“Our guys have been very consistent,” Ryans said. “I’m very happy with our coaches. They’ve done an outstanding job this entire offseason from where we were last year to where we are now. A credit to our coaching.

“Our coaching staff has done a phenomenal job of having their guys attentive and ready to go when we hit the field, guys are locked in. Guys know what to do, know how to do it. And that’s a credit to our coaching staff, they’ve done an unbelievable job.”

Aaron Wilson is a contributor to Sports Talk 790.