Latest news with #HoustonTexans
USA Today
10 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
72 days until the Texans' 2025 season opener: Who has worn No.72?
The Houston Texans are less than 100 days away from kicking off the 2025 season in Los Angeles against the Rams at SoFi Stadium and we're counting down the days until a victory ensues on the west coast. Texans Wire will each day 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 won No. 72 since the inaugural season in 2002. Texans players to wear No. 72 No. 72 currently belongs to offensive lineman Jaylon Thomas, who should be in line to maintain his role as one of the top names on the practice squad who could get called up midseason. Last year, he was waived due to injury but the returned to the roster on the season-ending injured reserve after goining unclaimed. Through the early stages of training camp and OTAs, Thomas should compete for a job in terms of depth at either tackle spot, but no one expects him to start Week 1 when the Texans travel out west to take on the Los Angeles Rams. And since he's only played in one game for Houston on Sundays, it's hard to consider him the G.O.A.T. in No. 72. Best Player: Derek Newton What could have been with the great right tackle? After replacing Eric Winston in 2012, Newton became a stable option in run blocking during the days of the Arian Foster era. He started three straight seasons, helping Houston reach the postseason twice before inking a long-term, five-year, $26.5 million contract ahead of the 2015. Sadly, he'd never live up to the standard of the deal because of injury. On October 24, 2016, Newton needed to be carted off during the first half of Week 7's game against the Denver Broncos with air casts attached to both legs. It was eventually revealed that both patellar tendons were torn, effectively ending his 2016 season. While he tried to come back in 2017, Newtwon was never able to recover physically, thus leading to his release in 2018. Newton's career was cut short due to a horrific injury in Houston, but he still remains one of the team's best right tackles over the last 12 seasons.
USA Today
17 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL legend Peyton Manning shares thoughts on former Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud
Former Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud has had a pretty remarkable start to his NFL career. He was the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year and has led the Houston Texans to two straight playoff appearances. Of course, as with many sports fans, they want more and they want it now. Stroud took some criticism in his second season, as it seemed like a bit of a regression, but NFL legend Peyton Manning begs to differ. In an event with Fanatics, both Peyton and Eli Manning took the stage with Stroud, Bryce Young, and Celeb Williams. In a matter of just 63 seconds, Peyton heaped the praise on Stroud, shutting down anyone who thinks he isn't doing enough. "...I didn't win a playoff game 'til my sixth year. He's two for two." - Peyton Manning Manning talked about how hard it is to come into the league and play well as a rookie, and then began the compliments of how well the former Buckeye prepares in watching film and doing study. He continued on comparing Stroud's beginning to his own NFL start, saying, "He went to the playoffs in his second year. He was 22. Let's be careful saying it was a down year. I didn't win a playoff game 'til my sixth year. He's two for two." That's big time coming from one of the all-time NFL greats. While Stroud's numbers weren't as strong in year two, throwing for fewer yards and touchdowns and more than doubling his interceptions, he also had to navigate a number of injuries to his offensive line (he was sacked 52 times, which was second most in the NFL) as well as injuries to his top three receivers. Manning also points out that after such a strong rookie campaign, teams had more film to watch to make adjustments. The Texans are looking to build on the success of the past two seasons and have added some more firepower to the team. With a healthy roster, Stroud is poised to take another step forward in his third year.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Browns Shakeup Defensive Front After Cutting Super Bowl Champion
Browns Shakeup Defensive Front After Cutting Super Bowl Champion originally appeared on Athlon Sports. A month out from training camp teams are making their final moves to set up their 90-man rosters for positional competition through the coming month and a half. Thursday, the Cleveland Browns made a shocking decision in navigating that process. Advertisement Cleveland released veteran pass rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo, signing kicker Andre Szmyt in a corresponding move. Okoronkwo was set to enter the final year of a three-year deal he signed back in 2022. The dead cap hit for the Browns comes in at just under $2 million. Given the post-June 1 designation his dead money will be spread across two seasons, costing the team $4.7 million in 2025. Okoronkwo had 37 solo tackles and 7.5 sacks in his two years with the Browns. He previously spent the first three years of his career with the Los Angeles Rams and won Super Bowl LVI before signing with the Houston Texans for the 2022 season. Okoronkwo had served as a rotational piece for this defense though Cleveland's pass rushing unit quickly became more crowded and a lot younger. The young contingent including Alex Wright, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Isaiah McGuire will all get an opportunity to make an impression through the coming weeks at camp. Advertisement This all comes in the shadow of the biggest move of the Browns' offseason, signing defensive superstar Myles Garrett to a four-year $160 million extension. As of now that figure marks the largest annual salary for a defensive player in NFL history. He was slated to be the highest earning non quarterback in the league before the Cincinnati Bengals reset the record with an extension for Ja'Marr Chase weeks after Garrett's deal. Related: Browns' Diontae Johnson's Role Unclear in Offense Related: Browns Roster Cut Candidate Surprises Many This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Peyton Manning defends ex-Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud for 'down year' in second NFL season
Peyton Manning, a Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback, defended C.J. Stroud after the former Ohio State star took some criticism following his second season in the NFL. During an appearance at Fanatics Fest in New York, Manning pointed out that Stroud has twice led the Houston Texas to the playoffs, including wins in both years in the AFC wild-card round. Advertisement 'Let's be careful saying it was a down year,' Manning said. 'I didn't win a playoff game until my sixth year.' Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) drops back to pass during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs in a 2025 AFC divisional round game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Before Stroud was drafted by Houston with the No. 2 pick in 2023, the franchise had last made the postseason in 2019. Stroud, who made the Pro Bowl as a rookie and was also the league's offensive rookie of the year, threw more than twice as many interceptions in the following year. He finished 2023 with 4,108 passing yards and 23 touchdowns and five interceptions. He threw for 3,727 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2024. The Texans fired offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik after last season. Advertisement Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Email him at jkaufman@ and follow along on Bluesky, Instagram and X for more. Get more Ohio State football news by listening to our podcasts This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Peyton Manning defends C.J. Stroud for down year in second NFL season
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Should the Seahawks sign free-agent guard Shaq Mason?
The Seattle Seahawks finally agreed to terms with free-agent cornerback Shaquill Griffin on Wednesday. Griffin had long been rumored to reunite with the Seahawks this offseason. General manager John Schneider officially closed that deal. By doing so, Schneider proved he's open to considering veteran upgrades to the roster before training camp opens. One potentially intriguing option is free-agent guard Shaq Mason. Brandon Thorn, creator of Trench Warfare and offensive line play enthusiast, recently highlighted how effective Mason still is at this point in his career. Mason played 931 snaps at right guard for the Houston Texans last season. The experienced blocker earned a stellar pass-blocking grade of 65.2 from Pro Football Focus. Mason would have easily been Seattle's best performing interior offensive lineman last season. The real question here is how much faith Schneider possesses in the ongoing positional battle at right guard. Anthony Bradford and Christian Haynes are competing for that spot for a second consecutive offseason. Neither player maximized that opportunity last season. The Seahawks are banking on another year of experience, paired with new position coach John Benton, to better develop Bradford and Haynes. If Schneider and Mike Macdonald run out of patience with Bradford and Haynes, they should strongly consider adding Mason via a one-year deal. The Seahawks are in a competitive window, having added veterans like Griffin, Cooper Kupp, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Sam Darnold via free agency. Mason would be an upgrade at right guard, but the Seahawks appear invested in Haynes and Bradford (for now).
