Texans trim punting competition, waive Jack Stonehouse

Houston makes another roster adjustment at punter, clearing the way for trade acquisition Kai Kroeger to be the only specialist remaining, while adding running back Owen Wright.

By The Apex Times Newsroom2 min readAI-assisted Apex article

The Houston Texans waived rookie punter Jack Stonehouse, a move that reshaped the team’s short-term depth chart at the position and indicated the club is continuing to sort through its punting competition, according to reporting from Aaron Wilson on KPRC 2 as cited by Pro Football Rumors.

With Stonehouse removed from the active mix, the Texans’ roster at punter was left with only Kai Kroeger, described in the report as a trade acquisition, at least at the time of the transaction. The waiver leaves the Texans with a clear punting center of gravity, even if jobs can still change quickly during camp as coaches evaluate leg strength, consistency, and coverage execution.

The procedural timing of the change also matters for how the Texans manage reps. During training camp and the preseason, punters often get a concentrated workload to establish timing with the snapper and to build rapport with the gunners. Waiving a competitor early can reduce split reps and tighten the practice plan around the remaining specialist.

The decision comes after Houston moved on from punter Tommy Townsend earlier this offseason, per the same report. That context frames this latest waiver as part of a broader cleanup of the punting group, rather than a single isolated cut.

In a corresponding roster move, Houston signed running back Owen Wright, according to Pro Football Rumors. The addition gives the Texans more flexibility in the backfield rotation, especially for special teams and third-down packages where depth and reliable ball security tend to matter in roster decisions.

Taken together, the waiver and signing highlight how NFL teams frequently address multiple roster needs in close proximity during August. Texans coaches can address a perceived gap at one position while simultaneously balancing the rest of the roster, which often includes adding depth for practice squads, special teams, and injury contingencies.

What to watch next is whether the Texans continue to add competition at punter beyond Kroeger or keep the specialist role stable as the preseason approaches. For Wright, the immediate question is how quickly he can separate in camp, particularly in drills that mirror game situations rather than purely structural running plays.

Why It Matters

Punters play a specialized role, so trimming competitors can accelerate team chemistry on snaps, holds, and coverage timing.
Leaving one specialist on the roster can streamline practice rep allocation during camp.
Roster moves like this often precede final preseason cuts, making later additions at punter worth monitoring.
Adding a running back alongside the punter change suggests Houston is balancing positional depth while sorting camp roles.

Sources

Key Facts

The Texans waived rookie punter Jack Stonehouse on August 8, 2026, according to reporting cited by Pro Football Rumors.
After the waiver, Kai Kroeger was described as the only punter remaining on the Texans roster at that time.
The report frames the move as part of a punting competition in Houston.
The Texans had moved on from punter Tommy Townsend earlier this offseason, according to the same Pro Football Rumors write-up.
In a corresponding move, Houston signed running back Owen Wright, as reported by Pro Football Rumors.