The NFL preseason gets underway Thursday night with the 2024 Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, that will feature several HBCU football players.
The Chicago Bears and Houston Texans’ rosters each feature a pair of former Black College football players who have either already made an impact in the league or are vying to do so.
Here are the HBCU players part of the Bears and Texans:
Chicago Bears
Ian Wheeler – Howard
Wheeler joined the Bears this spring after playing five years at Howard, where he totaled 177 carries for 1,154 yards and 14 touchdowns. A three-time MEAC All-Conference selection as a return specialist, Wheeler returned 52 kicks for 1,322 yards and three TDs in his college career.
Ja’Tyre Carter – Southern
Drafted in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Carter has played in 13 career games (two starts) along the Chicago offensive line. In 2023, he appeared in 10 games with two starts, including a season debut and first career start in Week 2 against the Buccaneers. He also did not allow a single pressure and was the Bears’ top-graded offensive lineman in Week 6 against the Vikings, per Pro Football Focus.
Houston Texans
Tank Dell – Alabama A&M
Dell put together an outstanding rookie campaign, which was unfortunately cut short by a late-season injury. But in 11 games in 2023, Dell compiled 47 receptions for 709 yards and seven touchdowns.
Tytus Howard – Alabama State
Howard, who missed nearly half of the 2023 campaign with a season-ending knee injury, is in his sixth NFL season and expected to be the Texans starting right tackle in 2024. When healthy, Howard has been a serviceable starter at multiple positions.
How to watch the NFL Hall of Fame Game
The Chicago Bears vs. Houston Texans NFL Hall of Fame game will be played on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT) and will air on ESPN.