-Arian Foster returned to the field for the Texans today and he looked solid in his carries. He cut with no issues and even broke some tackles at the line of scrimmage. There looked like no ill effects of an injury that kept Foster out of camp the past day and a half. He looks like he is moving much better than he did last season and has been fitting into the new offense nicely.

-Alfred Blue looks like his time on the field is increasing and he has looked smooth when running the football. The rookie will need to work on getting his pad level low when he gets through the hole because he can leave a big target for defenders to hit the taller running back. Blue is slowly inching up the depth chart and he is looking better than what most expected from the rookie.



-Running back Andre Brown is looking like the runner for the Texans in-between the tackles and he showed some of that today. On a play close to the goal line, he hurdled a pile of players to get into the second level and then lowered his shoulder to run through two defensive backs into the end zone. Brown is a strong back that can get the tough yards and he is a veteran back that can spot Foster when needed. His veteran presence will be needed until Blue is ready for a larger role.



-Mental lapses are not encouraged on the field and Bill O’Brien has made this known. If it is offsides, a false start, a dropped interception or pass, a fumble or a complete offensive or defensive bust, it does not sit well with the new staff. Players are usually sent for a lap around the field and it shows that the staff has high expectations of this team and players will be held accountable.



-Nose tackle Jerrell Powe understands his job in the defense and he was holding the point of attack with a purpose today. Powe has a strong frame and he gave Chris Myers and Ben Jones issues in the run game today. He has been producing solid up front for the defense and it shows with the linebacker being able to roam and make plays around the line of scrimmage.



-Rookie inside linebacker Max Bullough understands what he needs to do in the run game and he attacks downhill with a purpose. Bullough looks overmatched at times in the passing game and trying to diagnose the offense. When he sees the run game in front of him, he is a good looking inside linebacker who plays the run game the way inside linebackers are supposed to.



-Xavier Su’a-Filo had a tough day today and at times looked confused with what the offense was trying to do. It was a disappointing end to what was a good week of work for Su’a-Filo. With Brandon Brooks on the shelf with an undisclosed injury, Su’a-Filo’s workload has increased in the process. With him missing time to finish up school during OTAs, the rookie needs as much field work as he can get.



-Offensive Guard Alex Kupper is also taking advantage of Brandon Brooks being out. He has a little mean in him and he took it out on Brooks Reed today by putting him on his back during a run play. Kupper has shown he has some positive aspects to his game and he too has had increased work to see if he can have an increased role.



-Offensive tackle Will Yeatman looks like a nice addition to the offensive line and has been primarily working the left tackle position. He looks like the better option as the swing tackle at the moment and the ACL he injured looks just fine. He has good movement skills for his 6-6 and 315 lbs. frame and has pass protected well when called upon.



-Johnathan Joseph looked the best he has since training camp opened and his coverage was impressive today. He had a pass breakup and an interception in the few passes he was challenged on. Joseph is showing a good plant and drive on the football when it is in the air and his foot doesn't look like it is giving him any issues.



-Kareem Jackson is getting used to the slot cornerback position and he made an impressive play today jumping a quick pass to DeAndre Hopkins off the arm of Ryan Fitzpatrick. He made the interception and returned it for 90+ yards for a touchdown. He is settling into his new role for the new defensive system.



-Duane Brown and Mike Thomas were shut down early today. Bill O’Brien mentioned that Brown tried to chase down Jackson for over 95 yards which made the 322 lbs. offensive tackle winded.



-Quarterback Case Keenum has been working to become a better quarterback. He has been working on his mechanics in the pocket and he is being corrected from time to time with various issues. He led some receivers into some tough situations today, especially in the middle of the field. He has to work to get better on the field and right now he is working as the #2 quarterback. The quarterback situation at the moment has a long way to go.



-Offensive tackle Derek Newton looks like the weight he has lost over the offseason is translating to his play on the field and he held his own against J.J. Watt in team drills. This is an encouraging site because last season Newton did not have the capability to do this. He is looking much more like an offensive tackle.



-Rookie wide receiver Travis Labhart is making some headway as a slot wide receiver for the Texans. Throw in the fact he can also return punts, Labhart has turned some heads at camp. He made a nice catch in the end zone over Elbert Mack. Labhart gave the nickel cornerbacks all they wanted today and he is slowly fitting into that mold of slow wide receivers that have been successful in this system. Labhart has quick feet and even better hands, which makes him an intriguing option as camp moves ahead.

