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With the Houston Texans concluding their final preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams with a 17-15 victory, general manager Nick Caserio and head coach DeMeco Ryans will have the challenging and emotional task over the next few days of completing the active 53-man roster as they prepare for the 2024 NFL season opener on the road against the Indianapolis Colts on September 8.
One critical challenge is to retain the right reserve players who balance the superstar talent on both sides of the ball. The camp has seen the emergence of role players who could start for other teams in the league as they have consistently battled through rigorous practices and performed at a level that has impressed Ryans.
Yet, with the solid roster that Caserio has assembled, the only time those players could play a significant number of minutes would be if a starter was injured.
“It is tougher this time around because we have a lot of good, talented players,” said Texans HC DeMeco Ryans about looming roster cuts. “Some guys will unfortunately not be able to make it at this time, although they are NFL players.” #Texans #BigSargeMedia pic.twitter.com/YXfXp7MMwK
— BIG SARGE MEDIA LLC (@BigSargeSportz) August 26, 2024
Houston Texans Head Coach DeMeco Ryans Spoke With Reporters One Day Before Final Cuts Have To Be Made
Last season, Ryans, who was in his first season as the Texans’ head coach, was on the other side of the desk, which he had seen many of his former teammates face after training camp. His job was to give the news no player wanted to hear, as they were told they did not make the team. That emotional task will take a toll on any human being, but it is the nature of the business in the NFL.“This is always a difficult time for me,” said Ryans to reporters via Zoom on Monday, one day before the final roster is complete. “It was one of the most difficult times last year for sure as a first-time head coach having to make decisions and talk to these guys. It is something I don’t take lightly because it is a delicate situation.
“It is tougher this time around because we have a lot of good, talented players. Some guys will unfortunately not be able to make it at this time, although they are NFL players. One thing I try to always stress to our guys is that once they are in our building, I want all our guys to make the NFL, even though it may not be here with us at this moment. I am still pulling for these guys. Once I coach them, they are always my players. So, I am always pulling for these guys.”