Houston’s practice day hummed with offensive momentum as C.J. Stroud started to click with his targets, including a showcase 65-yard strike to rookie Jayden Higgins and quick rhythm with Nico Collins and Brevin Jordan on back-to-back plays. The starting five on the line—Aireontae Ersery at left tackle, Laken Tomlinson, Jake Andrews at center, Ed Ingram, and Tytus Howard—has become the familiar unit that’s giving Stroud time and maneuverability, with the rookie showing poise beyond his years.

The day wasn’t without drama: Brevin Jordan suffered a knee injury at the end of a team-series sequence, drawing an emotional response from Stroud and teammates. Still, the offense rallied, feeding Stroud deep shots and efficient drive sequences while backup Davis Mills joined in with a late TD to John Metchie. On the other side, the Texans welcomed back Foley Fatukasi and Derek Barnett to bolster a defensive line that had flashed disruption in practice. Woody Marks emerged as a potential factor in a crowded backfield as Nick Chubb and Dameon Pierce were limited, leaving Marks to showcase flexibility and special-teams value. Caley’s booth-to-sideline experimentation suggested Houston’s offense might keep evolving as joint-practice week with Carolina approaches.

The Texans used their 20-10 preseason setback to spotlight youth and depth rather than showcase seasoned starters. E.J. Speed surged all over the field, delivering a big hit and two coverage plays, signaling he’ll be on the field this season even if he doesn’t start. Aireontae Ersery and Jake Andrews opened massive running lanes on the first Texans drive, with Davis Mills efficient (4-of-5, 50 yards, TD) behind a coherent push from the first-team line. Dare Ogunbowale averaged close to six yards per carry, Braxton Berrios looked healthy in his return and accounted for a TD and return work, and Braxton Berrios showed versatility as a weapon after ACL rehab. Braxton’s early impact could help him push for a spot. Blake Fisher, by contrast, struggled mightily—false starts, six pressures, a half-sack—cementing his precarious status as trade-season looms. The safety corps is also thinning with C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s knee issue, forcing Russ Yeast to play essentially the entire game and M.J. Stewart to log significant snaps. The Texans face roster decisions on several bubble players as Saturday underscored who’s rising and who’s falling while plans for the offensive line, pass protection, and safety depth tighten ahead of Cut Day.

Jake Andrews, center for the Houston Texans, recently expressed confidence in the team's offensive line as they prepare for the 2025 season. Following a year where quarterback C.J. Stroud faced an alarming number of sacks, Andrews emphasized the commitment of the offensive line to protect their quarterback, vowing that they will prioritize keeping defenders off of him. With past struggles fresh in their minds, the linemen aim to change the narrative surrounding their performance.

This renewed focus and commitment may not only bolster Stroud's performance but could also impact the entire Texans' offense, potentially leading to a more dynamic and efficient attack that could benefit fantasy football players looking for under-the-radar talent in the upcoming season.

Jake Andrews was swiftly picked up by the Houston Texans just a day after his release from the New England Patriots. The offensive lineman, selected in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, saw action in 16 games during his rookie season, although a significant lower-body injury sidelined him for the entire 2024 campaign.

Andrews was among a group of players released following the Patriots' selection of 11 new players in the 2025 Draft, including Jared Wilson, a third-round center. The Texans, looking to bolster their offensive line depth, will hope Andrews can return to form following his injury.

The New England Patriots made significant adjustments following the 2025 NFL Draft, trimming their roster to comply with the 90-man limit. Six players were released, including offensive lineman Jake Andrews, who had an injury-plagued tenure after being drafted in 2023. Defensive lineman Marcus Harris, who spent last season on the practice squad, and wide receiver JaQuae Jackson, who struggled with injuries after being signed from the Falcons, were also cut. Linebacker Titus Leo, safety Mark Perry, and tight end Giovanni Ricci rounded out the list of departures.

Andrews, despite being a fourth-round pick, faced setbacks with a torn meniscus. Harris's failed bid to secure a spot on the active roster leads to his release, while Jackson's initial promise could not overcome the challenges posed by injury. Each player's release reflects the Patriots' need to refine their roster strategy after the draft.