The Texans' 'Daytona 500' offense with C.J. Stroud faced off against the defense in training camp. See why C.J. Gardner-Johnson says the defense won the day.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Start your engines, Texans fans. According to veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, going up against Houston's revamped wide receiver corps is 'like the Daytona 500.' That's the kind of electricity buzzing around training camp on Friday, as C.J. Stroud and his new-look offense showed flashes of high-octane potential. But in the chess match of camp, it was the defense that ultimately took the checkered flag, reminding everyone that building a championship-caliber unit is a marathon, not a sprint.
We've got a fast receiver corps. I'm going to be honest, it's probably one of the fastest corps I've ever seen... today we got the best of the NASCAR group.
The buzz around the new receivers is palpable. With the additions of Christian Kirk, Justin Watson, and rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel joining Tank Dell, the Texans have assembled a track team. C.J. Gardner-Johnson couldn't stop praising the unit's speed and versatility. 'They work very well in practice,' he admitted, before cheekily adding, 'We have our days. They win some, we win some. But today we got the best of the NASCAR group.' This friendly but fierce competition is exactly what forges a team's identity in the August heat.
Under new Offensive Coordinator Nick Caley, the offense is clearly a work in progress, but the highlights were tantalizing. C.J. Stroud looked sharp, dropping a beautiful deep ball to Nico Collins along the sideline. Tight end Dalton Schultz provided another 'wow' moment with a juggling, one-handed catch that showcased his elite hands. However, the offense hit a speed bump during a critical two-minute drill, stalling out and settling for a field goal. It's a classic case of training camp growing pains, especially with a rebuilt offensive line and key weapon Joe Mixon still on the NFI list. Head Coach DeMeco Ryans remains optimistic, praising his pass-catchers: 'Our receivers are making some really tough, contested catches.'
It wasn't all positive news on Friday. The team held its breath as rookie safety Jaylen Reed had to be helped off the field by trainers with a lower body injury. The severity is still unknown, but any missed time is a setback for a promising young player. On the transaction front, the Texans added some beef to the defensive interior by signing veteran DT Marlon Davidson, a former second-round pick. To make room, fellow DT Kyonte Hamilton was placed on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list, clouding his availability for the start of the season.
The early days of camp are always a mixed bag, and today was no exception. The key takeaways are the sheer potential of this new-look offense and the fierce competition brewing between them and the defense. All eyes will be on rookie Jaylen Reed's injury status in the coming days, as well as any updates on Joe Mixon's return. The 'Daytona 500' is just getting its engine warmed up, and the next week of practice will be crucial in seeing if they can find a consistent rhythm.
