Houston – The Texans opened their 2019 training camp with some unanswered issues that they hope to get resolved before the season starts against the New Orleans Saints. Houston, who some have making it to the AFC Championship game returned home this year for camp after spending the last two seasons in West Virginia.

A lot of questions loom as the Texans will run its day to day operations this year without a general manager. Former GM, Brian Gaine was relieved of his duties on June 7, 2019 after helping construct a team that went 11-5 and winning the AFC South before losing to the Indianapolis Colts in the playoffs. Head coach Bill O’ Brien will be in charge of personnel for this season as they elected to go with a team that consists of Rob Kisel (pro personnel director), Matt Bazirgan (director of player personnel), and James Lipfert (college personnel director). That decision also came on the heels of a potential tampering violation after the Texans tried to acquire Nick Caserio from the New England Patriots.

This camp will start with some intrigue as outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney is unlikely to report until the last day. Houston used its franchise tag on him this year as both sides failed to come to a long-term agreement. Clowney, who will make $15.967 million this year did not report to any of the Texans off-season workouts. The 2018 Pro Bowl selection had one of his best seasons on last year as he finished the regular season with nine sacks, 47 tackles and 16 tackle for losses. This coming off a 2017 campaign that earned him first team All-Pro honors.

Although 2018 All-Pro’s, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (ankle) and defensive end J.J. Watt (knee) will start the season on the active/physically unable to perform list. The Texans will welcome back wide receiver Will Fuller who missed the majority of the 2018 campaign after he tore his right ACL in the 4th quarter of a Thursday night game against the Dolphins. Fuller will be able to reestablish the chemistry with franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson who loves having his down the field threat back.

No Texans article would be complete without mentioning the offensive line and this year all eyes will definitely be on the unit assembled to protect Watson. Houston selected offensive tackle Max Scharping out of Northern Illinois in the second round to help improve an inconsistent offensive line that allowed 62 sacks last year, but all the attention will be focused on Tytus Howard who the Texans took number 23 overall in the first round. The offensive tackle was drafted out of Alabama State (HBCU) and have some believing the Texans picked him too high.

Two new additions on the coaching staff will be the eyes and ears for coach O’Brien this year. Former tight ends coach Tim Kelly has been promoted to second offensive coordinator behind O’Brien and former Texans quarterback T.J. Yates will be the offensive assistant.

The Texans will open up preseason against the Green Bay Packers on August 8, 2019.