The Houston Texans have announced roster changes following injuries sustained by players Graham Mertz and Joshua Pitsenberger during their preseason opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. Mertz, who was set to be replaced by Brett Rypien, suffered a season-ending knee injury just before halftime, while Pitsenberger exited late in the game with an ankle injury.
The Texans confirmed on August 15 that both players have been placed on the Reserve/Injured list. Mertz had previously torn his ACL while playing at Florida in 2024, raising concerns about his health. Pitsenberger's recovery timeline is expected to take a couple of weeks.
Despite these setbacks, head coach DeMeco Ryans noted that the team has avoided significant injuries to its starting roster. Although the Texans entered the preseason with a number of injuries, including to Ja'Marcus Ingram and Collin Wright, none of the starters have missed time, with the exception of linebacker E.J. Speed, who was injured during offseason training.
The Texans are anticipated to make further roster adjustments as they navigate the challenges posed by these injuries throughout training camp. Ryans and his coaching staff will need to keep a close watch on their options moving forward as they prepare for the upcoming season.
