Houston Texans Training Camp: Players to Watch

Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle

Training camp for the Houston Texans begins on Wednesday, July 23, and all eyes will be on several key players as the team prepares for what could be a breakout 2025 season. With one of the most talented and well-rounded rosters in the league, Houston enters camp with not only high expectations but also a deep roster that promises tough decisions ahead. Below are three players to keep an eye on as training camp unfolds. One of the more intriguing names heading into camp is center Jake Andrews. Drafted in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, Andrews now finds himself in a familiar coaching situation. While playing college football at Troy University, Andrews was coached by current Texans offensive line coach Cole Popovich. That connection could give him a leg up in the competition for the starting center position. Early reports suggest that Andrews has been taking reps with the first-team offensive line, and while nothing is set in stone, it appears the job might be his to lose. Another player worth watching is linebacker Christian Harris. A former Alabama standout, Harris has shown flashes of elite athleticism and playmaking ability but has struggled with injuries since entering the league. At just twenty-four years old and entering the final year of his rookie contract, Harris has both motivation and opportunity on his side. If he can stay healthy, he has the potential to anchor the middle of Houston’s defense and solidify a long-term role on the team.

Wide receiver Jaylin Noel is another name generating buzz. Drafted in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Iowa State, Noel brings much-needed speed and deep-threat ability to the Texans’ receiving corps. With Tank Dell sidelined for most, if not all, of the 2025 season, Noel could become a reliable target for quarterback C.J. Stroud. Though Noel missed offseason activities with a minor injury, he is expected to be ready for training camp. Fellow rookie Jayden Higgins has impressed thus far, but Noel’s speed and route-running give him a strong chance to break into the starting rotation. As training camp begins, competition will be fierce, and standout performances could shift the depth chart quickly. Players like Jake Andrews, Christian Harris, and Jaylin Noel are not only fighting for roles but also for long-term futures in Houston. With a talented roster and a bright young quarterback leading the way, the Texans appear poised for an exciting season.