8 former Cardinals in playoffs with Texans, Patriots

The Arizona Cardinals did not make it to the postseason. However, there are former Cardinals players in the playoffs.

The NFL playoffs continue on Sunday with the divisional round, and the first game features the Houston Texans and New England Patriots.

Between the two teams’ rosters and practice squads, there are a total of eight former Cardinals players.

Who are they?

Texans DL Naquan Jones

Jones spent two seasons with the Cardinals. He began this season with the Los Angeles Chargers but was cut and then signed with Houston. He appeared in four regular-season games and in the Texans’ first-round playoff win.

Texans WR Christian Kirk

Kirk was drafted by the Cardinals in the second round in 2018 and played four seasons for them before signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency. He was traded to the Texans last offseason. He had 28 catches for 239 yards and a touchdown in the regular season but had a monster playoff game. He had eight receptions for 144 yards and a score in the Texans’ 30-6 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Texans DL Leki Fotu

Fotu is on the Texans’ practice squad. He played for the Cardinals from 2020-2023 after he was drafted by them in the fourth round. He signed this last offseason with the Las Vegas Raiders and signed by the Texans to their practice squad. He was elevated twice in December to play and had three tackles.

Texans OLB Xavier Thomas

Thomas is on Houston’s practice squad. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the fifth round in 2024 and played a season and a half. He was cut by the Cardinals at the end of November and signed by Houston a few days later.

Texans CB K’Von Wallace

Wallace is also on the practice squad. He played seven games and had five started for the Cardinals in 2023.

Patriots QB Josh Dobbs

Dobbs was the Cardinals’ starting quarterback for the first half of the 2023 season. He was the Patriots’ backup quarterback this season.

Patriots DL Khyiris Tonga

Tonga played for the Cardinals in 2024 and signed with the Patriots in 2025. He played in 14 games and started eight at nose tackle.

Patriots WR Trent Sherfield

Sherfield recently signed with New England’s practice squad. He finished the regular season on the Cardinals’ practice squad. It was his second stint with the Cardinals. He played three seasons from 2018-2020 for the Cardinals after making the team as an undrafted rookie.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: 8 former Cardinals in playoffs with Texans, Patriots

8 former Cardinals in playoffs with Texans, Patriots

Tags: