What we learned about the Texans during training camp

HOUSTON -- After a month of training camp and preseason games, the Houston Texans officially have turned all of their attention to the regular-season opener against the Chicago Bears. The Texans finished their exhibition slate 4-0 and, most importantly, did not lose any players to major injuries during a game.

Here are five things we learned about the Texans during training camp:

Texans appear to have a reliable QB: Starting quarterback Brock Osweiler had a lot of expectations entering camp after signing a four-year, $72 million contract in March. In three preseason games and training camp practices, he has shown why the Texans were willing to give him such a big deal. His most convincing performance came in the Texans’ third preseason game against the Cardinals, when he was 11-for-13 for 146 passing yards and a touchdown. After an incomplete pass to running back Lamar Miller on his first attempt of the night, his only other incompletion came after first-round pick Will Fuller dropped a would-be touchdown pass. Of course, this was just preseason, but Osweiler certainly did all head coach Bill O’Brien could have asked for during the exhibition games.

A healthy Jadeveon Clowney could have breakout season: Though Clowney missed a week of practice with a sore left knee, he looked explosive in the two preseason games he played in. Clowney only has played in 17 of 32 games in his first two NFL seasons, missing time due injuries to his knee, back, groin and right foot. If Clowney can stay healthy, along with defensive end J.J. Watt, the Texans’ front seven could be one of the best in the NFL.

Texans are depending on their young receivers: During the offseason, the Texans committed to upgrading their wide receivers behind Pro Bowl receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Houston drafted Fuller out of Notre Dame in the first round, and Ohio State standout Braxton Miller in the third round. The two rookies join second-year players Jaelen Strong and Keith Mumphery at receiver on the 53-man roster. On Saturday, the Texans released 28-year-old veteran Cecil Shorts III, who restructured his contract in the offseason to stay in Houston. Hopkins still will lead the Texans in receiving categories, but unlike last season when the Texans’ second-leading receiver was Nate Washington, who had 47 catches for 658 yards in 14 games, Fuller, Strong and Miller will make up a younger and more effective passing attack.

Offensive line is still a work in progress: The Texans’ offensive line was hit by injuries during training camp, missing tackles Duane Brown (quadriceps) and Derek Newton (hamstring) and center Nick Martin (ankle). Martin suffered the high ankle sprain during a joint practice against the Saints, and will miss at least four months with the injury. Newton will return to practice this week and play against the Bears, but Brown does not have a set date to return. Brown, who tore his quadriceps in the Texans’ 2015 regular season finale, was not kept on the physically unable to perform list, which means he is eligible to practice as soon as he gets the OK from the team and the doctor. Because of the injuries, the starting line of Brown, left guard Xavier Su’a-Filo, new center Greg Mancz, right guard Jeff Allen and Newton have not had any reps together during training camp. In the four preseason games, the line has shown improvement in pass protection, but needed work run-blocking.

Texans have dependable backup quarterback: Entering camp, the Texans had Tom Savage and Brandon Weeden competing for the backup quarterback job behind Osweiler. Savage won out, partly because of his knowledge of the offense. He has been in the Texans’ system since he was drafted in the fourth round in 2015, while Weeden has been with Houston for less than a year. In four games this preseason, Savage looked to have command of the offense. Though obviously the Texans hope the third-year quarterback does not have to play a meaningful snap this season, it is good to have a dependable backup in case of injury.