Texans: Replacing TE C.J. Fiedorowicz is a 'collective effort'

Houston Texans tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz makes a catch in the end zone during training camp at the Greenbrier on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2017, in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. Houston Texans tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz makes a catch in the end zone during training camp at the Greenbrier on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2017, in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 9 Caption Close Texans: Replacing TE C.J. Fiedorowicz is a 'collective effort' 1 / 9 Back to Gallery

When veteran C.J. Fiedorowicz was forced to retire after suffering a trio of concussions last season, it left the Texans' tight end position in major flux.

The Texans have added some depth to the position, but it's still an area of uncertainty heading into training camp.

At 6-6, 265 pounds, Fiedorowicz was the only tight end on the roster with the size, pass-catching and blocking skills to be a complete tight end. The former third-round draft pick from Iowa was good enough that he caught 54 passes for 599 yards and four touchdowns two seasons and was rewarded last year with a three-year, $20.5 million contract.

"It’s was unfortunate that C.J. Fiedorowicz had to retire but we’ve been very fortunate having a good room, having a bunch of guys come to work, coming to get better," Texans tight ends coach Tim Kelly said. "Really taking the coaching. I’m fortunate to have those guys in there and really coming in and working hard.”

The Texans will rely heavily on Ryan Griffin, but his forte is his skill as a receiver. They also have H-back type Stephen Anderson as a change of pace, but he's too small to shove around bigger defenders when asked to block.

McCLAIN: 10 thoughts before Texans training camp

Recommended Video:

The Texans drafted athletic former Central Florida tight end Jordan Akins in the third round, and the 26-year-old former Texas Rangers baseball player displayed potential during the spring. They also drafted former Mississippi State tight end Jordan Thomas, but he's regarded as a developmental prospect.

Kelly emphasized that replacing Fiedorowicz will be a shared project.

“I think they all have different strengths and weaknesses that they have to work on," Kelly said. "As far as replacing anybody, I don’t know if one person is going to do it. I think it will be more of a collective effort. But again, if you look at the tight ends and how they played last year, it’s more of a collective group, even when C.J. was in the room.

"Ryan’s in here every day, he’s working hard. He’s trying to get better at some of the things that him and I talked about this offseason and he’s doing a good job with it.”