Three potential candidates for the Texans' Ring of Honor

Following the announcement of J.J. Watt’s induction into the Texans’ Ring of Honor, three other former players come to mind as deserving of celebration for their contributions. 

Watt, a three-time NFL defensive player of the year, will become the third inductee into the franchise's Ring of Honor, joining Andre Johnson and Bob McNair. With their inductions, it’s certain that more deserving individuals will become immortalized in Texans history. 

Since their establishment in 2002, the Texans have seen a multitude of players don their jersey, but only a select few are deserving of the ring of honor. 

Arian Foster 

Foster is undoubtedly the best running back in Texans history. Despite going undrafted in 2009, he showcased his exceptional running ability by earning four 1,000 yard seasons and being named to the Pro Bowl four times. He holds the franchise records for the most rushing yards (6,472) and the most in a single season (1,616).

Foster’s agility, vision and ability to break tackles made him one of the premiere running backs in the NFL at the time. After his stint with the Texans, Foster joined the Miami Dolphins before retiring from football in 2016. Throughout his career, Foster displayed exceptional running skills which played a vital role in the Texan’s success, earning him the respect as one of the most accomplished offensive players in Texans history. 

Duane Brown 

Brown, a former first-round pick, was a key asset on the Texans’ roster from 2008-17, when he established himself as one of the best offensive lineman in the league. He was known for his strong pass-protection skills and ability to open up running lanes for running backs. 

During his time with the Texans, Brown was a three-time Pro Bowler (2012, 2013, 2014) and a first-team All Pro (2012). In 2017, he was traded to the Seattle Seahawks, where he continued to showcase his elite blocking abilities and earned a trio of Pro Bowl selections (2017, 2018, 2021). 

Brown is currently set to play out the final year of his two-year contract with the New York Jets. 

Jonathan Joseph

After five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, Joseph joined the Texans as a free agent, instantly becoming a key piece on the team's defense, he became known as being a reliable cornerback capable of shutting down opposing pass catchers. 

Joseph earned two Pro-Bowl appearances (2011, 2012), while accumulating a total of 17 interceptions and 119 passes deflected during his tenure with the Texans. 

Joseph’s ability to constantly make impactful plays established him as arguably the best defensive back in Texans’ history, leaving a lasting legacy on the franchise.