DETROIT – When the Texans and Lions last squared off on the football field, it was a knockdown, drag-out battle ultimately decided on a last-second field goal from kicker Jake Bates.
The Lions managed to earn a narrow 26-23 victory despite quarterback Jared Goff uncorking five interceptions against the Texans’ talented defense, including two picks from corner Kamari Lassiter. It was a rough outing for the Texans’ offense against one of the better teams in the NFL as C.J. Stroud was intercepted twice in the second half, running back Joe Mixon had no holes to run through and was constantly hit in the backfield, plus kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn missed a 58-yard field goal.
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Now, the Texans and Lions are set to meet again Thursday morning in a joint practice at the defending NFC North champions’ training facility. The Texans previously had a joint practice with the Carolina Panthers last week.
“We’re really excited to get to Detroit and go against the Lions,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “As we talked about all week, it’ll be a great opportunity for us to go and compete against a really good football team, competitive team. Looking to see where we stack up versus this team. So, very excited to get to work.”
Ryans and Lions coach Dan Campbell have similar, competitive approaches to the game and demand an ultra-physical standard. The two teams have a third and final preseason game Saturday afternoon at Ford Field.
“Campbell is going to be great to work with,” Ryans said. “I talked with him for a while, really like his style and how he operates. Intense coach, always has his team prepared. He changed their program around to make them relevant again.
“So, really look up to him and what he’s done with that program and where he’s led that team. He’s doing a great job of leading, added a ton of great talent to his team. So, it’s a competitive team. We know they’ll be playing deep in the playoffs this year.”
The Texans are two-time defending AFC South champions under Ryans’ leadership and have one of the top defenses in the NFL.
The Lions’ offense features an accurate quarterback in Goff capable of making big throws, especially to top wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. Their running game, led by Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, is one of the league’s best. Penei Sewell is one of the best right tackles in football.
Defensively, the Lions are headlined by defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch and linebacker Alex Anzalone. Their entire defensive line, including former Texans defensive tackle D.J. Reader, is stout. It should be an extremely good test for the Texans’ overhauled offensive line that has four new projected starters in rookie left tackle Aireontae Ersery, left guard Laken Tomlinson, center Jake Andrews and right guard Ed Ingram.
Tytus Howard could play right tackle or right guard depending on the progress of left tackle Cam Robinson coming back from a lower leg injury and returned to practice this week. Howard is the lone returning starter from an oft-criticized group that allowed Stroud to be sacked 52 times last season. Five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil was traded to the Washington Commanders this offseason..
“Super beneficial, going against a different team instead of our own guys who are super talented as well,” said Ersery, a former Big Ten Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year drafted in the second round. “But we get a chance to go down there and really just establish what we want to be this season.”
The benefit of joint practices isn’t really about strategy. It’s about variety and breaking up the monotony of practicing against each other all of the time.
“The main thing is we get different looks, different schemes and we go against different players,” Ryans said. “The main thing for us is for guys to see something different. We’ve been going through camp for a while now, seeing the same thing. We were able to get some different looks versus the a] Panthers last week.
“I thought it was very beneficial to our guys. It brings up multiple conversations about different concepts offensively and defensively. It sparks conversation. It helps us when it comes to further down the line, how we game plan and what adjustments we need to make. So, we gain a lot from that, internally, when we’re able to joint practice.”
When the Texans return to Houston, they’ll dig into the tough process of making roster decisions to get down to the league limit of 53 players. Several players from the current 90-man roster will be asked to join the practice squad. Others will be claimed off waivers or sign with other teams. Some may be out of a job altogether and looking for a new opportunity.
From an emotional standpoint, it’s a stressful time for these players. It also takes a toll on Ryans and the coaching staff.
“At this point in time of training camp, it’s the most difficult time for me because you have 90 guys who’ve been here,” Ryans said. “Some guys have been working out here since February, in the building nonstop, putting the work in to make the team. Sometimes you lose sight of how we’re trying to build this camaraderie, we’re trying to build this team. On the flip side of that, you do have to tell some guys, ‘No.’ For me, as a coach, the toughest part of my job, is having to tell a guy, ‘No, not at this time.’
“It’s tough when you’re in the position of having to tell a guy who worked his entire life, it’s been his dream since childhood to make an NFL roster and be an impact player, but to be able to tell him no is difficult for me still. It never gets easy. It may not be our 53-man roster here with the Texans, but there are 31 other teams. Can I help those guys in any way make their dreams a reality? That’s why I care deeply about the guys. I want to see them succeed wherever it is. It may not be here in Houston, but it could very well be somewhere else.”
The Texans are expected to primarily use their backups against the Lions on Saturday as they try to determine the last few roster spots. ]
That includes figuring out if fullback British Brooks could make the team for special teams along with backup linebackers Jake Hansen, Jamal Hill and Nick Niemann, reserve corners Damon Arnette and D’Angelo Ross and safeties Russ Yeast, Jalen Mills and nickel-safety Myles Bryant. There’s also competition at tight end, primarily between Irv Smith Jr. and newcomer Harrison Bryant.
The practice, though, is simply about getting better.
“It’s a practice,” Ryans said. “It’s nothing to test. It’s a practice. We’re going to suit up, be ready. Our test always comes in the games.”
Several players have returned to practice from injuries, including linebacker Christian Harris from a strained calf that kept him out the majority of last season, left tackle Cam Robinson from a lower leg injury sustained a few weeks ago at The Greenbrier and running back Dameon Pierce from a strained quadriceps and defensive linemen Derek Barnett and Foley Fatukasi.
Not practicing: safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who has been working out on a side field with a trainer after getting hurt at The Greenbrier, safety Jaylen Reed due to a sprained knee, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and right tackle Blake Fisher due to a sprained ankle.
The offense, which has made strides in the two preseason games after struggling at camp against an aggressive defense led by Pro Bowl bookend pass rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter and All-Pro corner Derek Stingley Jr., will face a good test against the Lions.
“We’re getting ready for the season,” Ryans said. “We’ve worked very hard in training camp. Our team has grinded through some really tough days. Now we’ve just got to put it all together and go play when the regular season hits. I’m excited for the regular season to get here. I know our team is excited for that moment, when it really counts. That’s what we’re looking forward to right now.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com