The Houston Texans signed former Wisconsin wide receiver Quintez Cephus on Wednesday.

The move continues a busy few seasons for the former Badger. Cephus spent parts of the 2024 campaign with the Buffalo Bills, Texans and Los Angeles Rams, though he was never able to crack any of the three teams’ active rosters. He then spent a few days of the 2025 training camp with the San Francisco 49ers. He signed with the team on July 24, but was waived just days later on July 28.

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Cephus now returns to the Texans, where he excelled during the 2024 preseason. He joins a crowded wide receiver room as a projected fourth-string, alongside Daniel Jackson and Xavier Johnson. The room’s third-string options are John Metchie III, Braxton Berrios and Xavier Hutchinson.

The former Badger is looking to make his first NFL 53-man roster since he spent 2020-22 with the Detroit Lions. He turned heads as a rookie, catching 20 passes for 349 yards and two touchdowns. Injuries then plagued his 2021 and 2022 campaigns, halting his early-career progress. Cephus was then released before the 2023 season after he was one of several Lions suspended for violating the NFL’s gambling policy.

Cephus is looking to recapture form from that 2020 campaign, as well as from his terrific 2019 season leading the Badgers‘ receiver corps. He finished that 2019 season with 59 receptions, 901 yards and seven touchdowns. No Wisconsin receiver has matched those yardage and touchdown totals since.

Cephus’ play will be worth watching as the Texans begin their preseason schedule on Saturday against the Minnesota Vikings. Notably, former Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz could be the one throwing him the football. The former Badger and Florida Gator signal-caller is listed as the Texans’ third-string quarterback and could see significant action.

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Both former Badgers will need to deliver strong preseason performances to have a chance at cracking the team’s 53-man roster.

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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin receiver Quintez Cephus signs Houston Texans 2025 season