One Houston Texans starter will not be on the field Thursday for the first training camp practice.
The Texans have placed fullback Andrew Beck on the team’s physically unable to perform (PUP) list after failing their physicals Wednesday, according to the NFL’s transaction wire. Houston also placed linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips and cornerback D’Angelo Ross on the PUP.
According to KPRC2 Sports, Beck has been dealing with a calf injury that’s kept him out of minicamp and OTAs. He’s expected to be cleared before the start of the regular season and could miss only a few practices depending on the rehabilitation process.
In 15 games last season, Beck caught 11 passes for 55 yards and two touchdowns. He also returned an 85-yard kickoff for a touchdown in a win over the Jaguars.
Andrew Beck is working on the side and on the physically unable to perform list.
— Landry Locker (@LandryLocker) July 18, 2024
Fullback is an interesting position in general, but certainly for Houston’s offense given Bobby Slowik’s personnel. Troy Hairston could see first-team reps after missing all of the 2023 season with a back injury.
Hairston actually started 16 games for Houston in 2022, recording five catches for 19 yards. He also was effective on special teams.
The Texans also used tight end Brevin Jordan out of the backfield multiple times last season. While still a tight end, Jordan made headlines with his 76-yard touchdown reception against the Cleveland Browns in the wild-card round while lined up at h-back.
#Texans corner C.J. Henderson and fullback Andrew Beck (active PUP with calf strain) @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/FGH9QKmM2R
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) July 18, 2024
Fellow tight end Dalton Keene, who spent most of the season on the practice squad, could also benefit from seeing reps at the position if he hopes to make the active roster.
Second-year defensive end Dylan Horton was placed on the non-football illness list. Horton, a former fourth-round pick out of TCU, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma last year and missed the final month of the regular season.
17 days until Texans football is back ‼️
Andrew Beck’s 85yd kick return TD pic.twitter.com/rAx6Wj0H9v
— Coy (@WickedCoy) July 15, 2024
He was hoping to return in time for training camp after finishing his final chemo treatment in May but still hasn’t been cleared by the medical staff entering Thursday’s practice.
The active/non-football illness list is reserved for players unable to practice for conditions or injuries not related to NFL games. They can be elevated at any time and will be counted as part of the 90-man roster.
