Houston Texans 2026: The Ultimate Preseason Bubble Watch

 

Photo credit: SFL Staff

Houston Texans 2026: The Ultimate Preseason Bubble Watch

As training camp days dwindle and the 2026 NFL preseason exhibition slate kicks off, general manager Nick Caserio and head coach DeMeco Ryans face familiar August dilemmas. While locked-in starters like C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins, and Will Anderson Jr. focus on sharpening execution under offensive coordinator Nick Caley, a handful of players are fighting for their immediate playing time—or their spots on the final 53-man roster.

Whether coming off injury, battling young draft capital, or attempting to reboot their narrative, several Houston Texans players find themselves under immense pressure entering this preseason.

1. Blake Fisher, OT

Drafted in the second round of 2024 to serve as Houston’s swing tackle of the future, Blake Fisher finds himself at a pivotal crossroads heading into Year 3. After off-season moves brought veteran depth like Trent Brown and Braden Smith into the mix to solidify the edges, Fisher’s path to reps has grown increasingly narrow.

If Fisher cannot dominate third- and fourth-quarter preseason snaps to prove he can handle multi-positional versatility along the tackle spot, he risks becoming an odd man out in a crowded offensive line room—or dynamic trade bait on roster cutdown day.

2. Brevin Jordan, TE

Few players on the roster elicit as much empathy—and intrigue—as Brevin Jordan. Athletic and dynamic when healthy, Jordan’s career has been constantly derailed by bad luck, including a knee injury that wiped out his entire 2025 campaign.

While Dalton Schultz remains the undisputed TE1, Nick Caley’s scheme favors heavy multi-tight end sets, leaving the backup spots wide open. However, with free-agent addition Foster Moreau, second-year contributor Cade Stover, and rookie Marlin Klein all vying for roles, Jordan cannot afford to miss snaps. He needs a stellar preseason performance in live-game situations to convince the coaching staff that his playmaking ceiling outweighs his durability concerns.

3. Tommy Togiai, DT

On paper, the interior defensive line features veteran Sheldon Rankins holding down one spot, but the nose tackle rep distribution next to him remains an open competition. Tommy Togiai brings standard physical power and run-stopping utility, but he faces relentless pressure from younger options like rookie Kayden McDonald.

DeMeco Ryans’ defensive scheme relies heavily on high-energy, explosive rotational linemen to stay fresh across four quarters. Togiai must show consistent penetration and backfield disruption during exhibition games to secure a meaningful share of the interior rotation rather than falling to defensive tackle depth.

4. British Brooks, FB / RB

In a modern NFL offense where fullbacks are a dying breed, British Brooks carved out a niche as a special teams staple and short-yardage hammer. However, with new primary back David Montgomery arriving via trade to handle the physical dirty work alongside dynamic second-year back Woody Marks and an surging Jawhar Jordan, backfield roster spots are scarce.

For Brooks, the preseason is a pure numbers game. He needs to be flawless on special teams coverage, showcase pass-blocking reliability, and prove that carrying a dedicated heavy back gives Nick Caley’s unit an edge that an extra wideout or tight end cannot provide.

The preseason isn't just a warm-up exercise for dynamic offenses; it is a high-stakes environment where real NFL careers diverge. Over the next three weeks, these snaps will determine who secures their place in Houston's pursuit of an AFC South title—and who will be looking for a new home come September.