45 days until the Texans' 2025 season opener: Who has worn No.45?
Texans Wire will daily tell you which player has worn the number of the day leading up to kickoff and pick the player who ensured the number best during their time at NRG Stadium. As for today, let's take a look at who has worn No. 45 since the inaugural season in 2002.
Texans players to wear No. 45
No. 45 currently belongs to new linebacker E.J. Speed. Once an enemy as a member of the Indianapolis Colts, Speed signed a one-year contract this offseason to compete for reps opposite Azeez Al-Shaair in DeMeco Ryans' starting defense.
He'll have his chance to impress during training camp after back-to-back solid seasons playing in the AFC South. In his second full season as a starter, the 6-foot-4 Tarelton State backer finished with 142 tackles (12th in the NFL), seven tackles for losses and five pass deflections. His 93 solo stops were tied for third-most in the league. Speed also has six forced fumbles and has been a reliable name to know on special teams.
Since Ossai has yet to even take a snap in the preseason, let alone in training camp, he can't be the G.O.A.T. of No. 45. Much like No. 49, 47 and 46, it's hard to say there's one player who has earned the title, especially since the options are few and far between.
Best Player: Jay Prosch
Amid a run toward the postseason under Bill O'Brien, Prosch was the "yes, sir" player. You needed a name to fill in on punts? Yes sir. You needed an extra red zone blocker? Yes sir. You wanted another guy to factor in on fourth-down calls?
Call Prosch. He's ready to go. In three seasons, Prosch played over 800 snaps, totaling 13 starts and an average of 11.3 yards per game. Yes, it seems like nothing, but the role of a fullback often goes unnoticed in the grand scheme of things.
That won't be the case here with Prosch taking a slight lean over everyone else.
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