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Texans Competing Against Familiar Faces in Vikings Game

The Houston Texans will recognize one or two players very well on the Minnesota Vikings defense.

Jeremy Brener

Dec 24, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Jonathan Greenard (52) walks off the field before the game against the Cleveland Browns at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Dec 24, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Jonathan Greenard (52) walks off the field before the game against the Cleveland Browns at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images / Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
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The Houston Texans are studying the Minnesota Vikings intently this week as they are set to face off against them in Week 3.

However, there are a few players that quarterback C.J. Stroud knows very well in former teammates Blake Cashman and Jonathan Greenard.

“Those boys know I love them," Stroud said. "I saw Blake in Vegas at the Super Bowl and we chopped it up. It was before he actually left the team. So, we were trying to – because he was up on his contract, we were trying to figure it out and I was trying to help him and I wanted him back and the same thing with JG. But you know, some things don’t work out like that. You never have the same team that you ended with. But I’m ready to compete against them. I know those boys are ready to hit me because they didn’t get to hit me last year. So, it’s going to be fun.”

READ MORE: Texans Preparing for 'Versatile' Vikings Defense

Greenard, a third-round pick in 2020 by the Texans, signed a four-year, $76 million deal with the Vikings in the offseason after having a breakout 2023 season in Houston. He recorded 12.5 sacks last season and is picking up where he left off, now with Minnesota. He already has a sack for the Vikings and will look to add another when rushing against Stroud over the weekend.

Cashman spent the past two seasons with the Texans, which were the best of his five-year NFL career. He recorded 106 tackles in 2023, which was more than his first four seasons combined. He had an opportunity to sign with his hometown Vikings for three years and $22.5 million, a deal he couldn't refuse.

Now, Greenard and Cashman will get their chance to hit Stroud in a game while the second-year quarterback looks to beat his former teammates for the first time.

READ MORE: Texans Kicker Wins NFL Award

Stick with TexansGameday for more coverage of the Houston Texans throughout the season. 

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Jeremy Brener

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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