Texans reveal first depth chart ahead of first preseason game

For the first time in 2026, the Houston Texans have unveiled their depth chart on both sides.

For the most part, it looks the same. The offensive line features the projected four starters in Aireontae Ersery, Wyatt Teller, Ed Ingram and Braden Smith or Trent Brown at left tackle, left guard, right guard and right tackle, respectively.

However, there is a new center taking over the middle. First-round pick and former All-ACC guard Keylan Rutledge is listed as the projected starting center. And unlike at right tackle between Brown and Smith, he’s listed as the only option with the first-team offense.

You know you’ve been waiting for this…the 1st #Texans unofficial depth chart. Hey look, there’s rookie Keylan Rutledge listing as the starting C. pic.twitter.com/XNmq7w9aaB

— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) August 10, 2026

This is a massive step for the Texans, mainly because Rutledge was expected to compete. So far, he’s still learning how to play the position, but few players have been as passionate, firey and involved as the former Georgia Tech star throughout the early days of training camp.

“He’s a tough, nasty, accountable dude that is getting better every day. He’s playing a position that puts a lot on you. He’s got great people around him,” Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley said on Saturday. “Cole Popovich, I love. It’s my guy. He’s working. He hasn’t changed a bit from the first time I heard him say, ‘I don’t even I don’t even have a suit,’ when he first showed up after the draft. I was like, I love this guy. I love this guy. He’s all ball and he’s tough as nails. He’s all day tough.”

Defensively, there are zero changes from the projected starting role. Second-round pick Kayden McDonald, who is expected to be a factor in the rotation, was listed with the second-team defense.

For the first time since 2024, there’s legitimate depth behind Jalen Pitre at the nickel position. Both Allijah Huzzie and Brandon Codrington are listed as depth behind him.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT. The game will be locally televised on ABC.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans reveal first depth chart ahead of first preseason game