HOUSTON – The Texans are running it back with veteran defensive tackle Naquan Jones on a one-year, $2.5 million maximum value contract.
The deal has a base value of $2 million and includes a $300,000 signing bonus, a workout bonus and achievable playtime incentives that can boost the total value to the full $2.5 million.
Jones joined the Texans off waivers in December from the Los Angeles Chargers, contributing depth and push inside for the NFL’s top-ranked defense. He recorded three tackles in four games for the Texans during the regular season. He had five tackles, one for a loss in two playoff games against the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers.
“I believe it’s going to be something great,” Jones told KPRC 2. “I’m grateful and excited to be a part of that. I’m excited to be back. We fell short against New England, but we’re able to build in a short amount of time.
“You want to be a part of that. Everybody wants to compete and be the best and see other guys be the best. It all flows.”
Jones (6-foot-3, 313 pounds) played in 56 games with eight starts before joining the Texans, recording 99 tackles, 6 1/2 sacks, 12 tackles for losses and nine quarterback hits.
Jones, 27, has previous stints with the Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles.
He recorded 10 tackles, one for a loss and one pass deflection in eight games for the Chargers.
“Obviously an opportunity to bring Naquan in with a bigger body that’s played NFL football this year in the league,” Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke said when Jones joined the team. “So, we like to bring a lot of guys in that room and roll it through and trying to get them up to speed on our techniques and our style and how we play and where we want them to go. But I think he’s just a good professional NFL defensive tackle.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com
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