The Houston Texans head into the 2019 season hoping to take a step forward as a team. They also know that the window to win with Deshaun Watson on a team-friendly deal is coming to a close.

Last season, the Texans finished with a record of 11-5 to win the AFC South and make the playoffs as a three-seed. Their season didn't end as they wanted it to, with a 21-7 defeat in the AFC Wild Card Game against the Indianapolis Colts.

Losing in the fashion they did showed that Watson and the team have to develop a lot more. Bill O'Brien knows that the offensive line needs to do a better job of protecting its franchise quarterback.

In 2018, Houston allowed 62 sacks on Watson, which was the most sacks allowed in the NFL. Surprisingly, Watson was able to survive through all 17 games, although he had some bruises from being hit a fair amount.

Coming into training camp, the Texans are focused on helping Watson remain upright in his third season under center. They will also need to make a few decisions on the roster; they will need to release some players to cut their roster to 53 players.

Here are three potential training camp roster cuts for the Houston Texans in 2019.

3. Taiwan Jones

The Texans are set at their top two running back spots. Lamar Miller figures to be the starter once again while D'Onta Foreman gets some carries as well.

That leaves the third running back spot open for Buddy Howell, Josh Ferguson, and Taiwan Jones in training camp. Jones may have the toughest route to the job.

At 30 years old, Jones is coming off a season in which he was the Buffalo Bills' special teams captain. A neck injury landed him on injured reserve and cut his season short.

Jones is valuable as a kick returner, but both Howell and Ferguson are getting work on special teams as well. The Texans could go the youth route and keep the younger guys instead of Jones.

2. Darren Fells

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Over the past couple of seasons, Ryan Griffin was the featured tight end for the Texans. Now, Griffin is no longer there. Houston has Jordan Thomas and Jordan Akins.

Along with those guys, the Texans brought in Darren Fells to compete for the third tight end spot. As it stands now, Fells will compete with rookie Kahale Warring.

The Texans used their third-round pick to select Warring, so it may be tough for Fells to secure a roster spot unless O'Brien elects to keep four tight ends. Fells doesn't bring much as a pass-catcher and could be the odd man out.

1. Matt Kalil

This may come as a surprise to some, but Matt Kalil faces an immense amount of pressure entering the 2019 season. Earlier this offseason, Houston signed Kalil to a one-year, $7.5 million deal to help the Texans improve along the offensive line.

Kalil is still battling back from a knee injury that held him out of the entire 2018 season. Kalil has spent the last two seasons with the Carolina Panthers, but injuries have become a glaring theme for the left tackle.

Coming into training camp, Kalil will battle for the starting left tackle position with Julie'n Davenport. Davenport is entering his third season with the team. All the Texans need is some improvement on the offensive line.

It's tough not to improve from 62 sacks allowed in 2018. Kalil could be an improvement, but if he is injured or isn't close to being in shape, his stint with the Texans could be short-lived.

In 2018, Davenport started in 15 games for the Texans. He could keep the job if Kalil struggles. The Texans may have given Kalil $7.5 million this offseason, but that doesn't mean he's guaranteed to make the roster.