The Houston Texans cut their roster down to 75 players on Monday. They have one more preseason game left on Thursday against Minnesota.
Each week during preseason, RapidReports will take a position-by-position look at the players we think are likely to make the final cut to 53 on Sept. 2 and those who we think may soon be seeking alternative employment.
Stock rising: Kicker Shayne Graham did not want to win the kicking job the way he did. The Texans placed rookie kicker Randy Bullock on IR Monday with a groin injury. Still, Graham has kicked really well this preseason. He has made all five of his field goal attempts, including a 53-yard field goal at New Orleans on Saturday.
Stock falling: Cornerback Roc Carmichael spent last season on injured reserve. This preseason, he has done some good things, but at New Orleans Saturday, Carmichael committed a pass interference penalty in the fourth quarter that set up the game-winning score for New Orleans. He could still make the team, but it looks like he may begin the year on the practice squad.
QB -- In: (3) Matt Schaub, T.J. Yates, John Beck. Out: Case Keenum.
Analysis: The real battle here is between the veteran Beck and rookie Case Keenum. Coach Gary Kubiak told reporters that Beck would get the start on Thursday against Minnesota if he elected to sit Yates. It appears Kubiak will go with the experienced player in Beck, but Keenum has one more shot to impress.
RB -- In: (3) Arian Foster, Ben Tate, Justin Forsett. Out: Jonathan Grimes.
Analysis: Obviously, Foster and Tate are locks. Forsett is a free agent signing that has worked out well. Grimes, an undrafted rookie out of William & Mary, has looked good running the ball and on special teams. He could end up on the roster.
FB -- In: (2) James Casey, Moran Norris. Out: None.
Analysis: Casey is listed as a fullback, but he is not a typical fullback. Casey is much more versatile. That is why the Texans will keep Norris, who is a traditional fullback.
WR -- In: (6) Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter, Lestar Jean, Keshawn Martin, DeVier Posey, Trindon Holliday. Out: Juaquin Iglesias, Jerrell Jackson, Jeff Maehl.
Analysis: Holliday had an adventurous day at New Orleans Saturday. He fumbled a kickoff which New Orleans returned for a touchdown, but he also had a 64-yard kickoff return later in the game. Holliday still seems safe to make the team.
TE -- In: (2) Owen Daniels, Garrett Graham. Out: Logan Brock, Phillip Supernaw.
Analysis: This position is pretty set with Daniels and Graham, who had another good outing at New Orleans Saturday. Graham is a player to keep an eye on this year.
OL -- In: (9) Duane Brown, Wade Smith, Chris Myers, Antoine Caldwell, Rashad Butler, Brandon Brooks, Derek Newton, Ben Jones, Andrew Gardner. Out: Nathan Menkin, Andrew Gardner, Shelley Smith, Cody White, Cody Wallace.
Analysis: The first eight are pretty solid, but Gardner could find himself left off the roster. He provides versatility, which is why he is included. Houston could elect to go with just eight offensive linemen.
DL -- In: (6) J.J. Watt, Shaun Cody, Antonio Smith, Tim Jamison, Earl Mitchell, Jared Crick. Out: Mitch King, Hebron Fangupo, David Hunter.
Analysis: These six seem pretty set unless Cody’s recovery from his back injury does not go as planned this week. In that case, Fangupo could be in line to make the roster or the team could try to pick up a nose tackle from the waiver wire.
LB -- In: (8) Brooks Reed, Brian Cushing, Bradie James, Connor Barwin, Whitney Mercilus, Tim Dobbins, Bryan Braman, Mister Alexander. Out: Shawn Loiseau, D.J. Bryant, Delano Johnson, Rennie Moore, Jesse Nading. PUP: Darryl Sharpton.
Analysis: Sharpton was officially placed on the PUP list with a quad injury, and he won’t be able to play for at least the first six weeks of the season. Nading could end up making the team based on his special teams contributions.
DB -- In: (11) Johnathan Joseph, Kareem Jackson, Brice McCain, Sherrick McManis, Alan Ball, Brandon Harris, Danieal Manning, Glover Quin, Quintin Demps, Troy Nolan, Shiloh Keo. Out: Eddie Pleasant, Roc Carmichael.
Analysis: The players to keep an eye on are Ball and Carmichael. Ball is entering his sixth year and played for defensive coordinator Wade Phillips in Dallas. He understands what Phillips is looking for.
Special teams -- In: (3) Shayne Graham, Donnie Jones, Jonathan Weeks. Out: None. IR: Randy Bullock.
Analysis: With Bullock on IR and the team cutting punter Brett Hartmann on Monday, the special teams spots are set.
Follow Texans blogger Sean Bielawski on Twitter, @CBSSportsNFLHOU.
