HOUSTON – The Texans officially signed former New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts cornerback Ameer Speed from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.
Now, Speed is on the active roster heading into a Sunday road game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Texans also signed defensive end Solomon Byrd to the active roster from the practice squad. Byrd is a former Texans seventh-round draft pick from USC. He played in one game last season and recorded two tackles and one quarterback hit.
Speed was elevated from the practice squad for a victory over the Colts, contributing on special teams.
Speed worked out for the Texans previously before being signed to the practice squad initially.
Speed, 26, is a 6-foot-3, 215-pound former Patriots sixth round draft pick.
He has also played for the Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns.
Speed won a national championship at Georgia.
In the NFL, Speed has 10 career tackles. He has primarily played on special teams.
The Texans signed former Arizona Cardinals fifth-round draft pick Xavier Thomas, an outside linebacker who had 2 1/2 sacks and one forced fumble in 14 games last season, to the practice squad along with offensive lineman Jaylon Thomas, who played collegiately at SMU.
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com
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