The Houston Texans will wrap up the 2025 NFL preseason on Saturday afternoon against the Detroit Lions.
The third preseason contest is the most pivotal game for many veterans on the bubble, Day 3 rookies, and undrafted free agents looking to capture those few remaining spots on the 53-man roster.
For those players who just fall short of that goal. The journey isn’t over. Some players will play elsewhere in a different league or with a different team. Meanwhile, the last few remaining cuts will be re-signed to the practice squad to continue developing their game.
The Texans will have a surplus of practice-squad-eligible players at running back, wide receiver, and the defensive line, which isn’t a surprise. However, fans should keep an eye out for the tight end spot.
Currently, the Texans appear in good shape with Dalton Schultz and Cade Stover at the TE1 and TE2 spots, and potentially Harrison Bryant, whom they acquired in the John Metchie III trade. If Bryant or fellow veteran Irv Smith Jr. makes the final cut, rookie tight end Luke Lachey will likely end up on the practice squad.
Texans TE Luke Lachey Will Likely Be on Houston’s Practice Squad
The rookie pass catcher out of the University of Iowa, which has been known to produce good NFL tight ends, was taken in the seventh round in the 2025 NFL Draft.
As a seventh-round pick, it's an uphill climb to make the team out of camp, but if you show some promise, most teams are willing to take that chance for a practice squad spot.
Coming out of Iowa, the rookie tight end was known for his blocking skills and physicality in the run game. However, don’t sleep on his pass-catching skills, as Lachey is a good safety valve in the underneath passing game.
That said, Lachey’s blocking left much to be desired in the Texans’ first preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings. According to Pro Football Focus, the youngster had an 11.2 pass blocking grade and a 53.2 run blocking grade.
He played 34 snaps (20 passing, 3 in pass blocking, and 11 in run blocking), while adding two receptions (three targets) for two yards.
However, the rookie tight end played better and looked comfortable in the Texans’ second game against the Carolina Panthers, and his grades reflect that. According to PFF, Lachey had a 71.0 pass blocking and 67.3 run blocking grades. His overall grade was 59.4, which was better than the 43.1 in the opener.
Lachey played 26 total snaps (12 passing, 2 pass blocking, and 12 run blocking). He didn’t do much in the passing game, totaling one reception for three yards.
But if you are the Texans, it's good to see Lachey’s blocking improve because that will be his role as a potential TE3 of the future. The offense will come, and they don’t need to worry about that, especially with Schultz and Stover at TE.
Most people would overlook a third-string tight end, but for a team like Houston, whose offensive line struggled last season, anytime you can bolster your blocking, you will take it.