Steven Sims Jr. on Texans’ roster competitiveness: ‘Anybody that makes this team, you’re a ballplayer’

HOUSTON – Steven Sims Jr. took the handoff from quarterback Tim Boyle on an end around, hitting top speed in a hurry as he dashed up the sideline.

Sims’ 38-yard run against the Los Angeles Rams provided another reminder about his big-play capabilities.

As the Travis High graduate attempts to make the Texans’ 53-man roster, his special-teams skills are paramount to his outlook. He returned a punt for a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens in an AFC divisional round loss in January. Sims averaged 23.7 yards per kickoff return last season and has a 24.8 career average with a career-high 12.3 punt return average last season and a 6.4 average for his career.

Sims returned a punt 67 yards for a touchdown against the Ravens, high-stepping into the end zone. It was the first playoff punt return for a score in the NFL since 2013.

“I feel like I had a good camp, a good preseason,” Sims told KPRC 2. “I did what I could with the opportunity that was given to me, showcase my explosiveness in the return game as well as on offense. So, you know, it’s up to the team now. It’s not in my hands right now.”

“And that’s why I’m not really worried about everything else. What I can control, I control. Go out there with good energy, make explosive plays, do what I can when the ball comes to me and that’s all I can do.”

Signed to a one-year, $1.325 million contract this offseason, Sims was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster for the Baltimore game after wide receiver Noah Brown was placed on injured reserve with a torn labrum in his shoulder.

Sims had three catches for 25 yards and four punt returns for 49 yards and three kickoff returns for 71 yards in limited regular-season action.

His task of trying to make the Texans’ roster isn’t easy considering it’s one of the most talented receiving corps in the league. The Texans are headlined at wide receiver by Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins and Tank Dell and have a crowded room that includes Sims, Robert Woods, John Metchie III, Ben Skowronek and Xavier Hutchinson

“Anybody that makes this team, you’re a ballplayer,” Sims said. “This team has depth to every position. You know the big thing with the receiver room, but look how the running back room turned out. To make this team is a big accomplishment because you know it’s a grind every day with the toughest practices. This a grind. And if you make it, you know you earned it.”

Sims has caught 78 career passes for 704 yards and has 1,706 return yards and 174 rushing yards for seven overall touchdowns in the NFL. In college, he caught 214 passes for 2,582 yards and 19 touchdowns for the Jayhawks.

After playing for the Washington Commanders and Pittsburgh Steelers previously, Sims would love nothing more than to play another season for his hometown team.

“I definitely want to be here and finish here,” Sims said. “This is my hometown team and there’s no reason for me to leave here. And that’s what I want to do. Produce out there on the field, so I can stay here forever.”

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Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.