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Houston Texans DeMeco Ryans on the field before facing the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Houston Texans made an aggressive move to bolster their roster for head coach DeMeco Ryans, adding Naquan Jones before even taking the practice field in preparation ahead of hosting the Arizona Cardinals in Week 15.
Jones joins the NFL’s No. 1 scoring and overall defense.
For the Texans, Jones provides an intriguing depth option, and his arrival comes in the aftermath of a key contributor’s injury.
Texans Awarded Ex-Chargers DL Naquan Jones
GettyNaquan Jones #96 of the Los Angeles Chargers looks on during a game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Texans announced with a post on X on December 9 that they “claimed Naquan Jones via waivers.” LA needed space to activate rookie running back Omarion Hampton off injured reserve before “Monday Night Football” and waived Jones to create it.
Before Jones could clear waivers and possibly return to the Chargers as a member of their practice squad, the Texans acted.
Jones was among the Chargers’ noteworthy veteran signings this past offseason.
“The Chargers on Thursday agreed to terms with defensive lineman Naquan Jones, a move that provides extra depth up front,” Chargers.com’s Eric Smith wrote in March. “While Jones is likely to be a rotational piece up front, he does add plenty of size at 6-foot-3 and 313 pounds.”
Jones entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2021 with the Tennessee Titans. He has also spent time with the Cardinals and Miami Dolphins.
The Texans lost starting defensive tackle Tim Settle Jr. to a season-ending injury in Week 14.
Tommy Togiai replaced Settle alongside Sheldon Rankins in the starting lineup, and the Texans still have veteran Mario Edwards off the bench. Backup defensive end Denico Autry can also play inside when needed.
Since the Texans claimed Jones off waivers, they will take on the remainder of the fifth-year veteran’s one-year, $1.8 million contract.
Jones joins the Texans with 99 total tackles and 6.5 sacks across 56 games with eight starts.
Super Bowl Champion Pays Price Over Naquan Jones Signing
GettyJalen Mills #35 of the New York Jets reacts against the Seattle Seahawks.
Jones’ arrival meant the Texans needed to make a corresponding roster move, and it involved safety Jalen Mills.
Mills was a former seventh-round draft pick (2016) and Super Bowl champion (2017) with the Philadelphia Eagles. He has 4 total tackles in four games for the Texans this season, drawing one start in the process.
Mills played for Houston against the Kansas City Chiefs on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 14.
However, the Texans turned to Myles Bryant in the slot and allowed Jalen Pitre to play his natural safety spot, rather than the nickel role he has thrived in, amid a slew of injuries.
Texans Have Cycled Through Safties Amid Injuries
GettyJalen Pitre #5 of the Houston Texans reacts against the New England Patriots.
After jettisoning offseason trade acquisition C.J. Gardner-Johnson following Week 3, the Texans lost replacement M.J. Stewart to a season-ending injury. Stewart’s replacement, rookie sixth-round pick Jaylen Reed, also landed on IR, though it is unclear if he will return this year.
Mills could return to the Texans’ practice squad in light of Jones taking his roster spot.
Calen Bullock is the only other safety on the Texans’ active roster or practice squad, so re-signing Mills could prove wise at a critical point of the regular season.
It will be interesting to see if Jones is who the Texans tap, should they again find themselves in need of a roster spot to address their lack of depth at safety. Running back is another potential trouble spot, with Nick Chubb and Wood Marks getting banged up against the Chiefs.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter
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