One position group the Houston Texans loaded up on this offseason was wide receiver. This was done to help quarterback C.J. Stroud continue to take the next steps to becoming one of the best QBs in the NFL. However, the added depth in the wide receiver room already seems to be in question heading into Week 1 against to Los Angeles Rams.
According to Jonathan M Alexander of the Houston Chronicle, both Christian Kirk and Braxton Berrios were not spotted on the practice field during the portion of practice open to the media on Wednesday. Aaron Wilson later confirmed Berrios missed practice with a hamstring injury, which could open the door for someone like Silas Bolden to get called up from the practice squad for return duties.
Texans May Have to Elevate Silas Bolden to for Kick Return Duties with Possible Braxton Berrios Injury
After going undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft, Bolden signed with the Minnesota Vikings. In the preseason, the 23-year-old returned three kickoffs for 76 yards and one punt for eight yards. His longest return was a 29-yard kick return.
Though he didn't do anything as a receiver, Houston took a chance adding him to their practice squad for his return abilities. In college, Bolden returned both kickoffs and punts while he was at Oregon State and Texas.
At Oregon State, he returned 40 kickoffs for 1,008 yards. His most productive season returning kicks with the Beavers was 2022, when he returned 22 kickoffs for 599 yards, averaging 27.2 yards per return.
Then, during his one season at Texas, in 2024, Bolden returned 3o punts for 315 yards and one touchdown. If Berrios does end up sidelined with injury in Week 1, this could be a huge opportunity for the 23-year-old.
This is the case because, if Bolden shows he can be explosive in the return game, Houston may have no choice but to find a way to keep him on the roster. With the new kickoff rules that were implemented last season, teams are looking for ways to maximize their return game.
If a young guy like Bolden shows he can be explosive in that role, teams will want him over an older player like Berrios. As a result, Berrios's potential injury could put the Texans in roster management trouble.