HOUSTON – Texans rookie long snapper Austin Brinkman is recovering well and expected back soon after missing a preseason game against the Detroit Lions, per coach DeMeco Ryans.
The Texans signed former Miami Dolphins long snapper Blake Ferguson to fill in and he struggled with his snaps against Detroit, leading to missed kicks by Ka’imi Fairbairn.
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Brinkman has an oblique injury, per a league source, and is expected back for a Sept. 7 season-opener against the Los Angeles Rams.
“Brinkman, he’s doing really well,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday. “Brinkman had a little minor deal there, but we expect Brinkman to be fine.”
The Texans like what what they’ve seen from Brinkman.
Former Pro Bowl long snapper Jon Weeks signed with the San Francisco 49ers this offseason, ending a golden era as the longest-tenured player in franchise history.
The Texans signed Brinkman, a standout at the collegiate level for five years and an academic All-Big 12 Conference selection as a reliable special-teams fixture for the West Virginia Mountaineer, to take over for Weeks.
Brinkman’s three-year rookie deal includes $110,000 guaranteed.
“We’re excited to have Brinkman,” Ryans said. “Anytime you have a rookie at the long snapper position, there’s some growing pains that comes with that. But Brinkman has the temperament, he has the skill set to step in and do a great job. First things first is to have great snaps and that’s what he’s done. He’s been very consistent with his snaps.
“So, really pleased with Brinkman. I’m excited to see him get some action in the game so he can knock the rust off a little bit. It’s a little different when the games come, but I think he’ll do a really good job for us.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com