The Texans were missing two of their receivers at practice Wednesday.
Christian Kirk (hamstring) and Braxton Berrios (hamstring) did not practice.
Both players arrived in Houston in the offseason, and both are coming off injuries that ended their 2024 season prematurely. Kirk broke his collarbone after eight games with the Jaguars, and Berrios tore his ACL after six games with the Dolphins.
The Texans also practiced without offensive tackle Cam Robinson (illness).
Offensive tackle Blake Fisher (ankle) was limited.
The Texans open the season Sunday against the Rams.
Matthew Stafford is going to be starting at quarterback against the Texans on Sunday and he said on Wednesday that his back won’t be on his mind when he hits the field.
Stafford missed the first chunk of training camp with an aggravated disc in his back, but has been practicing without any issues for the last couple of weeks. He said on Wednesday that he won’t be altering anything about his game due to concerns about further injury.
“Oh, I’m going to go play the game,” Stafford said, via Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com. “Whatever happens, happens. I’m playing like I always play. I got no issues with a physical game. Obviously, would love to stay as clean as possible, but I’m not thinking twice about that at all. I’m out there ready to go play.”
The Rams are hopeful that left tackle Alaric Jackson will be able to play after dealing with blood clots and strong work from the offensive line would go a long way toward making sure that the physicality of Sunday’s game doesn’t result in any kind of relapse that will hamper Stafford in the weeks and months to come.
The Texans have three returning captains for the 2025 season.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud, edge rusher Will Anderson, and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair were announced as three of the team’s five captains on Wednesday. Stroud has been a team captain in all three of his NFL seasons while it is the second time for the two defensive players.
Wide receiver Nico Collins and running back/special teamer Dare Ogunbowale are the team’s other two captains this season.
The Texans had safety Jimmie Ward as a captain for the last two seasons, but he is currently on paid leave after being arrested this offseason.
Wide receiver Stefon Diggs and tackle Laremy Tunsil were also named captains before the 2024 season, but Diggs is now in New England while Tunsil was traded to Washington. Running back Joe Mixon was named a captain in November and is currently on the non-football injury list.
It may be the end of the line for one veteran receiver.
The Steelers have released receiver Robert Woods from their practice squad, the team announced on Tuesday.
Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, Robert Woods asked for his release and would only like to continue his career if he’s on a 53-man roster and playing.
Woods, 33, was a Bills second-round pick in 2013. But his career began to take off when he signed with the Rams as a free agent in 2017 — head coach Sean McVay’s first year with the club. He led Los Angeles with 86 catches and 1,219 yards in 2018, helping the club win its first NFC title under McVay. He then caught 90 passes in each of the next two seasons before suffering a torn ACL in practice midway through the 2021 season.
Since then, Woods played the 2022 season with Tennessee before joining Houston for 2023 and 2024. In 15 games last season, Woods caught 20 passes for 203 yards. He was on the field for 37 percent of offensive snaps in games played.
In his 171 career games since being drafted out of USC, Woods has tallied 683 catches for 8,233 yards with 38 touchdowns. He’s also rushed for 514 yards with five TDs.
Davis Mills is set to remain with the Texans beyond 2025.
According to multiple reports, Mills has agreed to a one-year contract extension through 2026.
The initial reports indicate Mills will earn $7 million fully guaranteed next year.
Mills was a third-round pick in 2021 and has been with the Texans for his entire career. He started 26 games over his first two seasons before Houston turned to C.J. Stroud with the No. 2 overall pick in 2023. But Mills has remained with the club as Stroud’s backup, signing a similar one-year extension in early September last year.
In his 38 career appearances, Mills has completed 62.6 percent of his throws for 6,167 yards with 35 touchdowns and 25 interceptions. Houston has compiled a 5-19-1 record in his starts.
