The Houston Texans just wrapped up OTAs and minicamp last week, as their attention now turns to training camp next month. When the calendar flips to July, the pressure will be on several guys who are looking to either earn a spot on the 53-man roster or win a starting job.
Texans linebacker Christian Harris is one of those players looking to win a starting job after he had his 2024 season derailed by injury. The young linebacker missed most of the season due to a calf injury he suffered in training camp last summer.
However, Harris eventually made his 2024 debut in Week 15 and played in three games before going on the injured list again (ankle injury). He missed the regular season finale and played only eight snaps in the Texans’ two playoff games.
It was a lost season for the 24-year-old linebacker, who has started in 33 games across his first two years in the league.
With that being said, one would have thought Harris would take part in OTAs or minicamp, but that never happened.
According to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle, the former Alabama linebacker didn’t participate in the workouts, but is expected to return for training camp.
The young linebacker doesn’t have any room for slip-ups as he’s entering the final year of his rookie deal. And not to mention, the Texans signed veteran linebacker E.J. Speed to a one-year deal this offseason, who plays the same position as Harris.
Last season with the Indianapolis Colts, Speed had 142 combined tackles, seven tackles for loss, five pass deflections, a quarterback hit, and an interception. The veteran defender posted back-to-back 100-plus tackle seasons with the Colts.
Since he’s playing on a one-year deal, the ex-Colts defender has a lot to prove and won’t make it easy for Harris to win a starting job. When Harris is healthy, he’s capable of being a playmaker at the second level.
In 2023, the 6-foot-2 linebacker had 101 combined tackles, seven tackles for loss, seven pass deflections, three QB hits, and a forced fumble in 16 games. He was also brought on a blitz 29 times.
The Texans would love to see Harris starting this season and possibly re-signing him at the end of the season.
However, it doesn’t help that Harris didn’t participate in workouts. Nonetheless, this year’s training camp is important for Harris, who needs to show that last year’s injury woes are behind him.