{"id":863011,"date":"2026-04-10T09:15:47","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T09:15:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/863011\/"},"modified":"2026-04-10T09:15:47","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T09:15:47","slug":"ex-texans-dt-haggai-ndubuisi-joins-buccaneers-in-free-agency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/863011\/","title":{"rendered":"Ex-Texans DT Haggai Ndubuisi Joins Buccaneers in Free Agency"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"DeMeco\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans looks on before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.<\/p>\n

The Houston Texans<\/a> have been pegged as a team to watch for a defensive tackle help in the 2026 draft, and their room officially got thinner with the latest news on former International Player Pathway program find Haggai Ndubuisi<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ndubuisi remains a project, even heading into his fifth NFL<\/a> season.<\/p>\n

Ndubuisi\u2019s latest move comes after the Texans made their final decision, setting the gears in motion.<\/p>\n

Ex-Texans DT Joins Buccaneers After Release\"DeMeco<\/p>\n

GettyHouston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans takes the field before the AFC Divisional Playoffs against the New England Patriots.<\/p>\n

Ndubuisi\u2019s tenure under head coach DeMeco Ryans<\/a> and the Texans lasted one season, as he will head back to the NFC.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne more signing from Bucs\u2019 workout today: former Texans defensive tackle Haggai Ndubuisi,\u201d Fox Sports\u2019 Greg Auman reported<\/a> in a post on X on April 9. \u201cBorn in Nigeria, played one game for Texans last year. Only 25, no college football. Could end up as Bucs\u2019 International Pathway Program player.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Buccaners are Ndubuisi\u2019s sixth team.<\/p>\n

Ndubuisi, who turns 26 in October, began his career with the Arizona Cardinals<\/a> as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He has also had stints with the Denver Broncos<\/a>, New England Patriots<\/a>, and Washington Commanders<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Despite all of the movement, Ndubuisi has appeared in one regular-season contest in his career so far. That was his appearance with the Texans, in Week 14 against the Kansas City Chiefs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ndubuisi, who also spent time with the XFL\u2019s San Antonio Brahmas, flashed in the preseason.<\/p>\n

Notably, the Texans signed former Buccaneers defensive lineman Logan Hall<\/a> in free agency this offseason. He figures to have a larger role for the Texans than Ndubuisi, though, splitting time between tackle and end.<\/p>\n

International Player Pathway Program Explained\"Cary<\/p>\n

GettyThe Texans looked to capitalize on the International Player Pathway program<\/p>\n

The Texans, like Ndubuisi\u2019s other teams, were searching for the next Jordan Mailata<\/a>, a former rugby player from Australia who has become one of the best left tackles in the NFL with the 2024 Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cEstablished in 2017, the IPP program identifies elite global talent with the aim of providing selected athletes with the opportunity to improve and develop their skills and ultimately earn a spot on an NFL roster,\u201d the program\u2019s official website reads<\/a>. \u201cHistorically, it has welcomed athletes from a range of sporting backgrounds, including rugby, basketball, Gaelic football, track and field and more.\u201d<\/p>\n

There is an added incentive for teams to explore prospects coming up through the IPP, too.<\/p>\n

\u201cEach NFL club is permitted one roster exemption for a qualifying international player from the start of the club\u2019s offseason program through the roster reduction to 53 players,\u201d the site says. \u201cAt that time, qualifying international players are eligible to be signed to a 17th practice squad roster spot reserved for international athletes across any of the 32 teams.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Texans released Ndubuisi in January, but this decision means he is officially off the market for now.<\/p>\n

Haggai Ndubisi \u2018Grateful\u2019 to be in NFL\"DeMeco<\/p>\n

GettyHouston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans reacts against the San Francisco 49ers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just want to be grateful for the opportunity, and it\u2019s a gradual process and we have a lot to work on,\u201d Ndubuisi told KPRC 2\u2019s Aaron Wilson<\/a> in August 2025. \u201cA lot of things to plan and I\u2019m just grateful that I got the opportunity to get a sack, so I\u2019ll just keep working.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ndubuisi remarked about the learning curve of coming to the NFL with limited exposure to organized football.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s pretty tough being an international player because there\u2019s a lot to learn and so many formations all at once, but with the right coaching and the right system and being coachable, everything comes to play,\u201d Ndubuisi said, per Wilson. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of opportunity to better yourself, to develop self-development and awareness in terms of football-wise and outside-wise, culture and everything, so there\u2019s so many things to learn.\u201d<\/p>\n

Listed at 6-foot-6 and 298 pounds, Ndubuisi\u2019s imposing stature remains intriguing to teams.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tJosh Buckhalter<\/a> 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<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Texans\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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