Houston Texans Roster
- AFC South
- Stadium
- NRG Stadium
- Head Coach
- DeMeco Ryans
- Offensive Coordinator
- Bobby Slowik
- Defensive Coordinator
- Matt Burke
- Special Teams Coach
- Frank Ross
- Defensive Scheme
- 4-3
The Houston Texans and free-agent linebacker Neville Hewitt, who led the league in 2023 in special teams tackles, reached an agreement on an undisclosed one-year deal on Wednesday, according to a source. In 16 regular-season games (zero starts) last year in his third year with the Texans, Hewitt had 14 tackles (eight solo). The 30-year-old was a standout on special teams but played just four defensive snaps and is unlikely to be a big part of Houston's defense again in 2024. In his nine-year NFL career with the Texans, Miami Dolphins and New York Jets, Hewitt has recorded a total of 440 tackles (284 solo), 7.5 sacks, 22 tackles for loss, 19 QB hits, three interceptions, 13 passes defended, two forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 129 games (44 starts).
Free-agent cornerback C.J. Henderson signed an undisclosed one-year deal with the Houston Texans on Thursday, according to a league source. The former ninth overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020 out of Florida spent just one year with the Jags before playing for the Carolina Panthers since 2021. The 25-year-old hasn't lived up to his draft status at all, recording 172 total tackles (139 solo), one sack, six tackles for loss, three interceptions, 16 passes defended, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 49 games played (32 starts) in his four NFL seasons. Henderson is obviously nowhere near the fantasy radar in IDP leagues and should fill a reserve role in Houston's secondary in 2024.
The Houston Texans have re-signed wide receiver Steven Sims to a one-year deal on Wednesday. Sims was cut by the Texans during training camp last season but ended up joining the practice squad later in the year. He was quiet as a receiver but has been used more as a punt returner. Sims has been a dynamic returner throughout his career which is likely why the Texans decided to bring him back in 2024.
The Houston Texans are re-signing defensive end Derek Barnett to a one-year deal, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. The 27-year-old was claimed off waivers last November and racked up 19 tackles and 2.5 sacks in six games for Houston. Barnett was originally a first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles after he broke Reggie White's school record for career sacks (33.0) at Tennessee. He did not develop into the star Philadelphia hoped for, producing 21.5 sacks in his first 72 games with the organization. In Houston, he'll be utilized as a rotational pass-rusher for a unit that now looks to be stacked with talent. Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter, and Denico Autry all had at least seven sacks last year.
Veteran free-agent defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. is signing an undisclosed one-year deal with the Houston Texans on Tuesday, according to a league source. The 30-year-old is regarded as a strong fit for head coach DeMeco Ryans' 4-3 defensive scheme. Edwards was a former second-round pick by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2015 out of Florida State. He played for the Seattle Seahawks last year and has also appeared with the Raiders, Bears, Saints, Giants and Titans in his nine NFL seasons. The 6-foot-3, 280-pounder has recorded 156 career tackles (110 solo), 21.5 sacks, 28 tackles for loss, 52 QB hits, six passes defended and four forced fumbles in 114 games (33 starts). Edwards is versatile and can play all along the defensive line and is likely to play a rotational role in Houston in 2024.