Keep or Cut: Which Texans bubble players make the active 53-man roster?

Consider Saturday's preseason victory over the Detriot Lions an overall promising long-term moment for the Houston Texans.

The roster is in great shape entering the regular season and a tough battle to the finish has led to several difficult conversations internally about roster spots. And after an impressive day on both sides, DeMeco Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio have even more of a challenge on their hands to send the roster down from 84 to 53.

As we close out the preseason, let's go through every player on the bubble and see if they're in or out regarding the active roster for 2025.

QB Graham Mertz

Mertz's first preseason game was dreadful as he tossed three second-half picks, including two on potential scoring drives. How he's responded, however, might be why he'll be on the active roster. On Saturday, Mertz connected on 14 passes for 145 yards and a beautiful 6-yard touchdown pass to Quintez Cephus. He's also looked better in practice, firmly planting himself as the No. 3 option behind Davis Mills and C.J. Stroud.

If he's cut, the Texans will likely bring him back on the practice squad to serve as the No. 3 emergency QB.

Verdict: Keep

QB Kedon Slovis

Slovis did a solid job in the second half and made a must-see touchdown throw to Daniel Jackson in the fourth quarter, securing the Texans' 2-1 preseason record. That said, he's not a game-changer and made several mistakes in last week's preseason win over Carolina. Someone will pick him up for the practice squad and he'll get a chance to continue his playing career, but it won't be in Houston.

Verdict: Cut

RB Dameon Pierce 

After missing most of training camp due to injury, it was unusual not to see more of Pierce in Saturday's game. Even if he's promised a spot, everything should be built around getting him up to speed. The fourth-year runner finished with 17 yards on seven carries. It wasn’t his best showing, but he’s done enough to prove there's potential for a third-down role and special teams spot.

Verdict: Keep

RB Dare Ogunbowale

Rookie Woody Marks has replaced Ogunbowale's signature move of being a solid pass-catcher. Does that leave a spot open for another position? Everything surrounding Ogunbowale will come down to the status of Joe Mixon. Should he start the season on the NFI list, there's a good chance that No. 33 is back for Year 4.

Verdict: Keep

RB British Brooks

This is going to be one of the hardest decisions at any position. While Brooks isn't a fullback, the Texans very well could have him gain a bit more weight and relearn the spot under Nick Caley by Week 4 or Week 6. His value truly comes on special teams, where he's been quite special over his brief career.

After scoring a 1-yard touchdown last week against the Panthers, the fifth-string running back had some good runs against the Lions, rushing for 23 yards. The call likely will come down to Caley, who must choose if Brooks or Jakob Johnson offers more upside on offense.

Johnson wins out at the last second, ending Brooks' run in Houston.

Verdict: Cut

FB Jakob Johnson

Given his experience working with Caley's offense, Johnson makes the cut. He impressed enough on Saturday to warrant a chance to be a fixture of the offense.

Verdict: Keep

RB Jawhar Jordan

Nothing ever stood out with Jordan in camp, but he did have three runs of over 10 yards in preseason games. He'll be a favorite to return to the practice squad if he's not picked up elsewhere.

Verdict: Cut

WR Braxton Berrios

Berrios offers too much upside in the return game to simply let walk out into free agency. Even if the Texans don't use him on offense like they would Justin Watson, the potential for the former All-Pro return man is sensational on kickoff and punt return duties.

Verdict: Keep

WR Justin Watson

Watson feels like this year's Noah Brown. Everyone was shocked to see the former No. 3 target be let go after a decent training camp and on a garunteed contract, but it did. If the Texans keep six receivers, Watson feels like the easiest to move off.

Verdict: Cut

WR Quintez Cephus

Just a bit too late to find his footing, though the Texans could bring him back on the practice squad.

Verdict: Cut

WR Cornell Powell

What was said about Cephus could go for Powell, though change the word could to should. He finished on Saturday with six catches for 63 yards. That's good enough for a spot on the 13-man reserve.

Verdict: Cut

WR Daniel Jackson

What was said about Cephus could go for Jackson, though at least he can say he caught a touchdown pass in the preseason.

Verdict: Cut

TE Harrison Bryant

Bryant is a more polished receiving threat, but Irv Smith Jr offers more potential in run blocking. Still, he just arrived and could be a nice threat in the passing game. If Bryant joined the team two weeks ago, he'd be an easy cut, but for now, he makes the roster while sitting on thin ice.

Verdict: Keep

TE Irv Smith Jr.

Smith seemed like a lock to make the roster last week after finishing with five catches in the win over the Panthers, but Saturday was a low for him in the race for the TE No. 3 spot. He was called for a false start penalty on a fourth-down call, pushing the Texans back and out of range. He also regressed as a blocker per Pro Football Focus.

If there's more upside to hold out hope for Luke Lachey, it's safe to assume Smith is headed out the door.

Verdict: Cut

TE Luke Lachey

Lachey likely isn't making the roster because of who is ahead of him, but he's not leaving Houston. It seems like he's a lock to make the practice squad while he works out the kinks in his game to compete for a roster spot next offseason.

Verdict: Cut

OT Austin Deculus

Deculus is your prototypical camp body. He's probably sticking around on the practice squad but not much else.

Verdict: Cut

OT Zach Thomas

Thomas was the most impressive of the trio in the preseason, but the Texans probably are only keeping four offensive tackles. He's on the outside looking in.

Verdict: Cut

OT Conor McDermott

Not going to lie, I forgot he was on the team until Saturday's performance. That might be all you need to know about McDermott's status.

Verdict: Cut

OL LaDarius Henderson

Nick Caserio loves Henderson, so he's probably a favorite to make the practice squad. Perhaps 2026 is where it all comes together.

OL Jaylon Thomas

Thomas probably deserves some consideration, but with Jarrett Patterson and Juice Scruggs playing both spots, he's proably a practice squad candidate

Verdict: Cut

OL Eli Cox

Cox struggled in run blocking during Saturday's game, while Patterson excelled. That's all you need to know on who is making the cut.

Verdict: Cut

DE Solomon Byrd

While he had a promising camp, Byrd's age and limitations on special teams likely earn him a spot on the practice squad over the active roster. It's not a bad thing since the person who beat him out is likely going to join the practice squad once a healthy Dencio Autry is back.

DE Dylan Horton

A fully healthy Horton is a scary sight to imagine. He impressed in the preseason finale, racking up three tackles and a pass deflection. Horton might not be longed for the active roster, but he'll begin the year on it with Autry on the IR.

Verdict: Keep

DE Casey Toolhill

Toolhill is and always has been a camp body. Maybe the Texans keep him around on the practice squad.

Verdict: Cut

DL Foley Fatukasi

Even though Fatukasi was limited this preseason, he's arguably the Texans' best run defender in the interior. That'll earn you a roster spot as a rotational option.

Verdict: Keep

DL Tommy Togiai

If Ryans gets to make one pick on a player to keep, it's going to be Togiai. He said that Togiai has been the most consistent player in camp and after another sack against the Lions on Saturday. That was his second of the preseason and likely enough to warrant a spot.

Verdict: Keep

 DL Junior Tafuna

Tafuna is going to be the name to watch on the practice squad.

Verdict: Cut

DL Haggai Ndubuisi

Ndubuisi made a nice couple of plays, but nothing else.

Verdict: Cut

LB Jake Hansen

Once again, Hansen just makes plays at the right time in the preseason. On Saturday, he made three tackles and a pass breakup in coverage. He's done enough once again to warrant a spot in Year 4.

Verdict: Keep

LB Jamal Hill

Hill has improved from Year 1 to Year 2 as a linebacker, but it's not enough to earn him a spot over Hansen. Even if he's better than Nick Niemann, that's not enough to warrant a spot over others fighting. He'll be back on the practice squad.

Verdict: Cut

LB Nick Niemann

Niemann was brought in to be the new special teams linebacker star. So far, that title belongs to Hansen. It'll be a hard climb up the pecking order to make the final 53.

Verdict: Cut

LB K.C. Ossai

Ossai is going to be on the practice squad. Just call that a lock.

Verdict: Cut

LB  Jackson Woodard

Woodard probably would benefit by spending a season in the UFL or CFL before making a run at the NFL. He'll find a way to stick around the league.

DB Myles Bryant

Bryant offers position flexibility, making him invaluable. The last roster spot genuinely will come down to the former Patriots star and Arthur Maulet. Maulet is a nickel defender, but Bryant is a defensive back.

That makes the call easier.

Verdict: Keep

CB Arthur Maulet

Let's say the Texans don't want to lose Maulet. They will if he's cut because he's had too good a camp and impressed in the preseason finale. Sadly, there might not be a spot for him to make the cut. If the Texans put C.J. Gardner-Johnson on the injured reserve to begin the year, he probably makes it.

Verdict: Cut

CB D’Angelo Ross

This is finally the year where Ross heads elsewhere. He's been dreadful in coverage and surpassed by others on special teams. This was a career low for Ross in training camp.

Verdict: Cut

CB Damon Arnette

Sadly, there aren't enough roster spots to keep Arnette on the active roster. He'll have offers after an impressive show in Weeks 2 and 3, but the Texans can't keep him and a safety.

Verdict: Cut

DB Jalen Mills

Mills had an interception in Saturday’s preseason game, which put him on the map. He's going to be on the active roster with Jaylen Reed hitting the injured reserve to begin the year.

Verdict: Keep

DB Russell Yeast

A bad preseason did Yeast no favors. Maybe he'll stick around the practice squad, but he won't be on the active roster.

Verdict: Cut

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Keep or Cut: Which bubble players make the Texans' 53-man roster?