When the Texans signed undrafted rookie defensive end Joel Heath after the draft, they were banking on his combination of size, long arms and athleticism.
They gave the former Michigan State defensive lineman an $11,000 signing bonus, the most among their undrafted rookie free agent class.
Heath is regarded as a young player with good potential.
He displayed that potential and persistence during the Texans' preseason win over the New Orleans Saints when he redirected himself to run down Saints quarterback Luke McCown after he scrambled for 15 yards.
"He made an unbelievable hustle play when the quarterback scrambled up the middle," Texans coach Bill O'Brien said.