The Houston Texans officially reached the NFL offseason's latest stage when they began their annual rookie minicamp on Friday. It was the first opportunity for this year's Texans rookies to showcase their potential, getting the fanbase even more pumped to see what the first-year players can do once meaningful football games are played.
Texans fans couldn't wait to hear about head coach DeMeco Ryans' assessment of the 2025 rookie class. Interestingly enough, it was the Houston coach's mention of a forgotten offensive lineman that caught the fanbase's attention.
Texans HC DeMeco Ryans Shares Positive LaDarius Henderson Injury News
Offensive guard LaDarius Henderson is one player who Texans fans saw so very little of last season. The former 2024 seventh-round pick missed his entire rookie campaign due to a non-football foot injury he picked up last summer, leaving his eventual NFL debut up in the air.
On Friday, Ryans shared a positive update regarding his 23-year-old blocker's injury outlook. According to Houston Football's Cody Stoots, Henderson's progress is encouraging, and he's brought "good energy and good work ethic."
Ryans also added that Henderson's injury is why the second-year pro is a member of this year's rookie minicamp, and that his hard work has "put himself in a position to have a successful year.
DeMeco Ryans: very encouraged by LaDarius Henderson’s progress. Good energy and good work ethic. He’s working with the rookies since he missed last year. He’s put himself in a position to have a successful year.
— Cody Stoots (@Cody_Stoots) May 9, 2025
Henderson is a former first-team All-Big Ten guard who won the 2023-24 CFP National Championship as a member of the Michigan Wolverines. The 6-foot-4, 315-pound blocker's hard work to return to the field is great to hear, leaving it up to him to prove that he belongs in Ryans' plans.
Whether or not there's room for Henderson on the O-line remains to be seen. Although the Texans said goodbye to the likes of Laremy Tunsil, Kenyon Green, and Kendrick Green this spring, they've since signed veteran OLs Cam Robinson, Laken Tomlinson, and Trenton Brown. And that's without mentioning rookie Aireontae Ersery, who was drafted 48th overall last month.
In other words, it's going to be an uphill battle for Henderson, who must compete against proven names and a high-upside rookie after missing an entire year of his career.
From the sound of things, the Texans will likely give Henderson more than just the rookie minicamp to prove that he deserves a spot on the roster. This year's organized team activities (OTAs) will begin on Wednesday, May 28, meaning Houston fans should have a better idea of the former seventh-rounder's outlook after that.