42 days until the Texans' 2025 season opener: Who has worn No.42?

The Houston Texans are less than 50 days away from kicking off the 2025 season in Los Angeles against the Rams at SoFi Stadium and we’re counting down the days until a victory ensues on the west coast.

Texans Wire will daily inform you which player has worn the number of the day leading up to kickoff and select the player who best represented the number during their time at NRG Stadium. As for today, let’s take a look at who has worn No. 42 since the inaugural season in 2002.

Texans players to wear No. 42

No. 42 currently belongs to rookie tight end Luke Lachey. Drafted with the Texans‘ final pick, Lachey at one point was regarded as a breakout star of Iowa’s offense in a long list of Hawkeye tight ends destined for the NFL. Injuries hindered his success over the last two years, leading to a downward spiral in draft stock and an eventual seventh-round grade.

Lachey has the potential to compete for a spot on the active roster. While not a perfect “Y” tight end, Lachey gives quality effort as a positional blocker when asked to make plays in the zone. He’s also a quick-active playmaker as a pass-catcher in space.

The Texans aren’t asking Lachey to become a do-it-all tight end. They’re not even asking him to start. Dalton Schultz should be locked in as the team’s No. 1 tight end, while Cade Stover and Brevin Jordan compete for reps at tight end No. 2. For Lachey, he’s likely battling Irv Smith Jr. for the last spot as a special teams standout who could fill in as a blocker in a pinch.

Since Lachey has yet to appear in a game wearing No. 42, he’s not the best player to wear the jersey. But who is after two decades of calling NRG Stadium home?

DB Marcus Coleman (2002-2005)

Best Player: Marcus Coleman

As the first player to wear the number in franchise history, we’ll give him some respect. Over his three seasons with the Texans, Coleman racked up 252 tackles, 56 pass breakups, 11 interceptions and a return touchdown. In 2002, he posted 90 tackles, one interception and two fumble recoveries while leading the league in pass breakups with 30.

In 2003, he had 77 tackles and 23 passes defensed and a franchise-record seven interceptions. In 2004, he moved to free safety and still posted 80 tackles, two interceptions and eight pass breakups while recording the longest pick-six in franchise history at 102 yards against Kansas City Chiefs.

Most NFL fans won’t remember Coleman since he played for an underwhelming Texans roster, but those in H-Town will always embrace his impact for an expansion team.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: 42 days until the Texans’ 2025 season opener: Who has worn No.42?

42 days until the Texans’ 2025 season opener: Who has worn No.42?

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