Texans’ Jalen Pitre delivers pick-six of C.J. Stroud throw, defense excels, offensive line shuffle takes new turn

HOUSTON – The Texans’ defense flexed its muscles during the second day of training camp.

Beyond a ton of wins for elite pass rushers Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr., an opportunistic secondary delivered an impactful play.

Texans nickel Jalen Pitre, signed to a $42.6 million contract extension this offseason, pounced on an errant throw from quarterback C.J. Stroud for a pick-six. The interception for a touchdown triggered a raucous celebration from the defense.

“I think the highlight of the day for me was Pitre, being in a really good spot to intercept the football,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He’s been a guy who’s been very consistent for us, no matter where we’ve put him or what we’ve asked him to do.

“He’s just my type of player. He’s all over the field, always up for the challenge. Whatever the down is, he’s going to be around the football and making plays and it was evident today.”

Pitre’s deal included a $10 million signing bonus, $29.156 million total guaranteed, a base value of $39 million and an $18 million payout over the next 12 months, acknowledged his market value and his hard-hitting, gritty style of play.

Now, Pitre is under contract with his hometown team through the 2028 season with base salaries of $1.656 million (fully guaranteed for skill, injury and salary cap), $9 million (fully guaranteed), $9.5 million with $8.5 million guaranteed and $9.5 million. He has up to $500,000 in per-game active roster bonuses the next two seasons and up to $1 million in per-game active roster bonuses, a rate of $58,823 per game in 2027 and 2028.

Pitre’s $13 million annual average, negotiated by veteran agents Trey Robinson and Marlon Moore of Athelite, briefly made him the highest paid nickel in the NFL before Chicago Bears slot corner Kyler Gordon eclipsed his deal with a $13. 3 million average compensation two days later.

After completing three NFL seasons, Pitre was playing under his original rookie deal. Pitre, one of the most active players in the community through his work with Kids Meals Inc., and the Stafford Cobras youth football and cheerleading program, became eligible to sign a contract extension this offseason.

Pitre tore his pectoral last season while tackling Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tyler Boyd and caught the brunt of a collision with teammate Henry To’oTo’o. His absence created a void in the Texans’ defense.

Without Pitre’s hard-hitting style, it became easier for offenses to run the football. And his physical, rangy, instinctive impact in the passing game was felt as well.

The Texans’ defense is playing with an edge, and an unsatisfied mentality early in training camp.

“I think everybody has to look at that and say, ‘Okay, pat yourself on the back, great job, you did what you did last year, it’s over,’' Texans linebacker and team captain Azeez Al-Shaair said. ”It’s a new year, how can you improve? You know, you got to look and really be real with yourself on what you see because at the end of the day, the tape’s not going to lie, so you can’t lie to yourself. And I think just everybody kind of adopting that same mentality and looking inwards and seeing what they can do better, it’ll help the whole team.”

Ersery on the move, again

Massive rookie offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery was on the move again Thursday.

He lined up with the first-team offense at left tackle ahead of veteran Cam Robinson after previously stepping in for Blake Fisher at right tackle. Ersery, a second-round draft pick from Minnesota signed to a four-year, $9.211 million contract, was named the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year.

Ersery is challenging for an immediate starting job as part of an overhauled offensive line.

The Texans’ constants have been Laken Tomlinson at left guard and Tytus Howard at right guard. Jake Andrews started at center Thursday one day after Jarrett Patterson was with the first-team offense. Patterson did get some work with the first-team offense as the practice went on.

Fisher had a false start, and was beaten for a sack by Anderson. He allowed three sacks in a playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

“With our offensive line, you’ll see a lot of guys moving around to different positions, different spots,” Ryans said. “We’re just trying to find the best combination of where those guys will play. Also, at different times of the year, sometimes you lose guys, especially at the tackle position.

“That’s one where you have to be able to be what we call have the swing tackle, where you can play right, you can play left, especially if you’re a backup player. You’re either an interior player or you’re playing on the edge, so you have to be able to know multiple spots. That’s one thing that a lot of people don’t know about the game.”

The Texans elevated Cole Popovich to offensive line coach and run game coordinator after firing offensive line coach Chris Strausser after last season.

The improvement the Texans are hoping to see hinges heavily on how Popovich teaches the line.

“Cole has done a great job of leading,” Ryans said. “I’d say he’s been leading with intent. He’s been leading with intensity as well. The drill work, he’s definitely on it. It all starts there for me with the offensive line. It’s about basic fundamentals and being consistent and Cole has done that.

“He’s been consistent with his communication with the guys. He knows how to be intense when he needs to be intense and he knows how to love the guys up when they need to be loved up. So, he’s done a great job of coaching those guys."

The previous day, Ersery started at right tackle ahead of Fisher.

Later in practice, Jaylon Thomas substituted for Tomlinson at left guard.

Robinson did take some snaps at left tackle with the first offense.

At 6-foot-6, 331 pounds with 5.01 speed in the 40-yard dash, Ersery is an imposing blocker who has impressed his teammates and coaches with his versatility and athleticism

“He’s more than athletic enough to play left tackle and right tackle,” Howard said. “It’s just getting up there and knowing what he’s got to do right away so he’s not thinking so much. I think he’s been doing a fantastic job on it.

“He’s having a tremendous camp so far and he’s only going to get better. I feel like he’s a guy that likes to learn from the older guys and the coaches and try to apply that to practice. I’m just excited to be his teammate.”

Christian Harris, Damon Arnette Jr. miss practice

A former starter and one of the faster linebackers in the NFL, Christian Harris continues to watch from the side at practice.

Harris has made progress since missing the majority of last season and the entire spring with a lingering calf injury and isn’t on the physically unable to perform list. However, Harris is not ready to practice yet.

“Come out here, work hard, be the best version of yourself each day,” Texans general manager Nick Caserio said of Harris. “Don’t put any timetables on it. Christian has played a lot of good snaps for us here. Whenever he’s ready to play and help the team, that’s the focus.”

Reserve cornerback Damon Arnette Jr. is expected to return to practice Friday. He was held out Thursday as a precautionary measure on an extremely hot day after dealing with muscle cramps and dehydration. No injury, and should be good to go Friday.

Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon (ankle) is on the non-football injury list due to an ankle injury suffered working out this offseason. He has regained a lot of mobility this summer, though, but isn’t ready to practice.

On the active physically unable to perform list: Denico Autry (knee), Derek Barnett, Trent Brown (patellar tendon), Eli Cox (minor quadriceps injury) Tank Dell (knee surgeries), Foley Fatukasi (shoulder), Kurt Hinish, K.C. Ossai (expected to practice next week, Dameon Pierce (quadriceps strain), J.J. Taylor (plantar fasciitis), Jimmie Ward (foot surgery).

Quick hits

Second-year defensive end Solomon Byrd has made strides in his overall game, consistently penetrating the backfield. In the regular-season finale against the Tennessee Titans, Byrd had two tackles and a quarterback hit.

“I saw Solomon start to peak in our OTA practices,” Ryans said. “Since he came back this offseason, he’s been doing a really great job. He’s consistently been in the backfield, no matter who he’s going against. He’s done a really great job of working his technique, really getting off the football in a violent manner and really playing faster. That’s one thing I see from him, he’s playing faster. He’s not thinking. Now he’s becoming a better player because of that. He’s really flourishing now in camp.” ..

With Joe Mixon sidelined, Nick Chubb has been the first-team running back with Dare Ogungbowale filling in. Chubb looks smooth in drills, but not super explosive yet.

“It’s only my fourth day with Nick [Chubb] and he’s done everything we’ve asked him to do,” Ryans said. “He’s a pro. Nick has been the same guy. I’ve always admired Nick from when he was back at Georgia, playing. I’ve always admired him and it’s no different.

“I can see why the guy has been good in his career. It’s because he’s a hard worker. He doesn’t say much, but he shows you by his actions. Every single day he shows up, he’s ready to go. So, we’ll see how he continues to grow and gel with our guys.”

The Texans like what they’re seeing from rookie running back Woody Marks, a fourth-round draft pick from USC. Marks has outstanding hands.

“Woody has stepped in,” Ryans said. “He’s a very quiet guy. He’s efficient. He’s a smart player. We put a lot on him. He’s handling it all really well. I’m excited to see Woody actually put the pads on and see him go against our guys out here and also to see him in live action and see how he’s doing. Woody has done a great job so far.” ..

The Texans are impressed with the precision of former Chiefs wide receiver Justin Watson, who signed a two-year deal this offseason.

“Justin has been the same,” Ryans said. “What I like about him, he’s consistent. Every day he shows up, he’s consistent. He’s exactly where he’s supposed to be, getting the proper route depth. Plays with great hands. He plays multiple spots.

“He’s a really smart player. He’s just consistent and that’s a lot to be said. That’s what being a pro is about. It’s about being consistent, knowing who you are, showing up every single day and not wavering. That’s who Justin is.”

Quote to remember

The Texans have won two consecutive AFC South division titles. They have set their ambitions on taking the next step and going beyond the AFC South divisional round. They are 0-6 all-time as a franchise in the second round of the postseason.

“I understand very quickly about our first two years, with the success that we had,” Ryans said. “Yeah, it was great but you have to forget that very quickly because for me it doesn’t predict. It doesn’t guarantee what’s going to happen now. I tell our coaches and I tell our players this, every year the team changes. You’re going to have some additions to your team each and every year. It’s all about how does that puzzle fit together. How quickly can we come together? Can we connect as the 2025 Texans? I truly believe that, so if I’m harping on what we did in 2024, that won’t allow me to fully commit and fully dedicate myself to building this team, this roster in a manner that we need to be to go out and be great.

“It’ll be a growth process. You don’t just start off where you ended last year, in the playoffs. There’s a lot of work that goes into getting back to that moment. It’s not just guaranteed to you. So, how bad do these guys want it? How bad do our coaches want it? We’ve got to put in the work to put ourselves in that position. It’s going to be one day at a time, one game at a time and we’ll see where we end up.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com