Houston Texans veterans absent from OTAs

Houston may have one of the youngest cores in the league, but they are bolstered by long-toothed veterans throughout the roster.

The Texans are officially participating in voluntary OTA workouts and early news and notes from practice indicate that several veterans are not present for the team’s first practices of the year. Namely offensive line starters Laremy Tunsil, Shaq Mason and Tytus Howard are not there. Tunsil is known for doing his own thing in the offseason and that’s no surprise, but Howard’s absence is due to his lingering leg injury. He hopes to be healthy by the preseason.

New WR Stefon Diggs wasn’t in attendance either, but given the diva mentality and the fact that we’ve already seen Diggs working out with Stroud this offseason on social media, I’m not as worried here. Diggs is the type to only show up on Sunday, the QB tells him what the route is, then lets him do his thing.

Additionally, defensive free agent additions Danielle Hunter and Denico Autry were absent from practice. Both are trusted veterans in fairly secure roles who will be ready to hit the ground running next season. Both are believed to have been in the facilities extensively this offseason, but will not participate in the voluntary portion of the offseason.

I also heard that re-signed WR Noah Brown was not seen in practice today. His absence allowed second-year WRs Tank Dell and Xavier Hutchinson to shine as they finish productive rookie seasons.

So who benefits from the absence of all veterans? For starters, depth pieces across the entire offensive line. Tackles David Sharpe and Charlie Heck who racked up reps in place of Tunsil. Rookie second-rounder Blake Fisher starting at right tackle in practice is valuable experience. Plus, Kenyon Green looks in great shape!

Without the presence of defensive lineman Hunter or Autry, Dylan Horton finishing his cancer recovery and veteran Derek Barnett needing small OTA reps, rookie defensive end Solomon Byrd will have a fantastic opportunity to get some time valuable face-to-face with coaches and representatives with possibly the starting team. .

OTAs don’t benefit the interior defensive line much, so we’ll have to wait several more months to see how the DTs do.

Notable veterans in attendance are RB Joe Mixon, S Jimmie Ward, DE Derek Barnett and WR Robert Woods. Woods’ presence in camp is fantastic as he competes to make the roster. Woods’ contract may be the biggest weight against him, but we’ll see if he makes it to June without being let go.

Keep it locked here for more Houston Texans summer camp updates!