The Houston Texans got an early start to game planning for their regular-season finale against the Indianapolis Colts, including parting ways with one of their recent draft selections in Solomon Byrd.
The Texans also welcomed back a multi-time Super Bowl champion.
All of it is in preparation for a game that Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans made clear his team is looking to win.
Texans Activate Super Bowl Champion
GettyJustin Watson #84 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Texans also announced in the same release that they “activated the following player from the Reserve/Injured list,” naming wide receiver Justin Watson.
This settles a question that has loomed since the Texans opened Watson’s 21-day practice window. They had until December 31 to make their decision, but had put it off, including ahead of their win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17.
Watson did not travel with the team last week, despite practicing in full before being ruled out.
A former draft pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Watson also won three Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs before signing with the Texans in free agency this past offseason.
Watson has caught three passes for 30 yards in two games played for the Texans this season as part of a re-tooled wide receiver room that includes a Pro Bowler in Nico Collins and two rookie draft picks in Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel.
Texans Announce Former Draft Pick Waived
GettySolomon Byrd #50 of the Houston Texans looks to make a play against the Carolina Panthers.
The Texans announced via their official website on December 29 that they “waived the following player,” naming Byrd. Byrd, 26, was the No. 238 overall pick of the 2024 draft. He has appeared in one game in his career, tallying 2 total tackles and 2 pass deflections.
However, that was in Week 18 of the 2024 season against the Tennessee Titans.
In hindsight, NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein’s pre-draft evaluation of Byrd may have been especially prescient.
“Byrd fails to stand out physically or athletically on tape. He plays with solid aggression and play strength but finds himself entangled with blockers more than he should. He can be creative when attacking tackles at the top of the rush,” Zierlein wrote in 2024.
“Struggled to get much done when tasked with taking on some of the more talented opponents on the schedule. Byrd possesses certain play features that are worthy of consideration, but he might not have enough above-average qualities to make much of a mark in the league.”
Byrd could have a path back to the Texans’ roster, but as a member of their practice squad, just as he was before Houston signed him to the active roster in early December.
Texans Re-Sign Former Lions DB
GettyBears cornerback Ameer Speed has been elevated for Week 6’s game against the Jaguars.
In their final roster move, the Texans also brought back cornerback Ameer Speed, whom they cut ahead of the Chargers game.
Speed had played in two games for the Texans this season, tallying 2 total tackles.
“He played in a road game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson wrote on December 29. “Speed was elevated from the practice squad for a victory over the Indianapolis Colts, contributing on special teams.”
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