Lions' Jalen Reeves-Maybin: Heading back to Detroit
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Reeves-Maybin agreed to a contract with the Lions on Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Reeves-Maybin, who spent the first five years of his NFL career in Detroit before joining Houston last season, is now set to reunite with his former team in 2023. The 230-pound linebacker posted career highs with 82 tackles, four pass breakups and two forced fumbles during his final campaign with the Lions in 2021, but he saw a significant drop in his snaps on defense during his lone season in Houston. He'll likely be ticketed for a depth role as he rejoins the Lions.
Okoronkwo is expected to serve as the edge starter opposite Myles Garrett, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.
Okoronkwo signed a three-year deal with the Browns after posting five sacks in part-time duty for the Texans. With Jadeveon Clowney released, the organization is betting that Okoronkwo's ascension as an edge rusher continues as part of a revamped defensive line that also welcomes run-stopping defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson in the middle. Alex Wright, in whom the Browns invested a 2022 third-round draft pick, will also be in the defensive end mix. He played about 50 percent of the snaps as a rookie but did not record a sack or quarterback hit.
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Texans' Tavierre Thomas: Re-signs with Houston
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The Texans re-signed Thomas on a one-year, $3 million deal Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Thomas appeared in just 10 games last season, spending the first seven weeks on IR with a quadriceps injury. The veteran corner finished the season with 41 tackles (23 solo), one pass defensed and two forced fumbles. Thomas will likely find himself in a rotational role once again heading into the 2023 campaign.
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Mario Addison: Set to be released by Houston
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The Texans plan to release Addison, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Addison, 35, was due a $3 million salary for 2023, but the Texans are moving on and clearing more than $2.3 million in cap space. He recorded just one sack in 12 appearances last season. Addison has 68 career sacks across 170 games of action.
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Broncos' Tremon Smith: Signs on with Broncos
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The Broncos agreed to terms with Smith on a two-year contract Wednesday, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.
Listed as a defensive back, Smith rarely plays defense and makes his hay as a special teamer and return man. The Broncos will be his fifth team since he entered the league as a sixth-rounder with the Chiefs in 2018. Smith has one career kickoff return touchdown.
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Browns' Ogbonnia Okoronkwo: Goes to Browns on three-year deal
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The Browns and Okoronkwo agreed to terms on a three-year, $19 million contract Monday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport repiorts.
A former fifth-round pick of the Rams, Okoronkwo finally got a chance to play significant snaps last season with the Texans and recorded five sacks off the edge. He'll be part of the rotation opposite Myles Garrett in Cleveland.
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Texans' M.J. Stewart: Returns to Houston
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Stewart signed a contract with the Texans on Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Stewart joined the Texans in 2022 and played as a backup safety while also contributing plenty on special teams. In total, he tallied 41 tackles and one pass defended to go along with one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
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Texans' Jalen Reeves-Maybin: In line to be released
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Houston plan to release Reeves-Maybin at the start of the league year, a source told Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston on Wednesday.
Reeves-Maybin filled a backup role for the Texans in 2022, notching 15 tackles and a fumble recovery. The league year is set to begin March 15, at which time Reeves-Maybin is expected to be removed from the roster.
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Texans' Taylor Stallworth: Will stick in Houston
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The Texans re-signed Stallworth to a one-year contract Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
In 2022, Stallworth made one appearance for the Texans, who claimed the undrafted defensive tackle out of South Carolina off waivers in December. Apparently, Houston liked what they saw from the veteran and have opted to retain him for the 2023 campaign. Stallworth was a solid rotational piece for the Saints (2018-2019) and the Colts (2020-2021), but he's never been an IDP asset with career highs of 16 tackles and three sacks in a season.
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Texans' Ogbonnia Okoronkwo: Makes strong FA case
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Okoronkwo recorded one tackle and a pass defensed in a 32-31 win over the Colts in Week 18.
Okoronkwo recorded career highs in tackles (44) and sacks (five) in his first year with Houston after three seasons with the Rams. He played a full 17-game season after injuries limited him in Los Angeles. The full season of health and career-high production puts the 27-year-old linebacker in a good position as he heads into free agency.
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Texans' Desmond King: Makes six stops in finale
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King recorded six tackles and returned one punt for 16 yards in a 32-31 victory over the Colts in Week 18.
King ranked fourth with 89 tackles and tied for the lead with 10 for a loss this season. The six-year veteran has put together two consecutive strong seasons for the Texans, including five interceptions over that span. King averaged 9.4 punt return yards on 33 chances and returned one kickoff for 50 yards. He has one year left on his deal and should be part of the Texans' secondary in 2023.
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Texans' Christian Kirksey: Hits triple digits
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Kirksey had five tackles, an interception and one pass defensed in a 32-31 win over Indianapolis in Week 18.
Kirksey rewarded the organization that signed him to a two-year deal prior to the season with his first triple-digit tackle count in nine NFL seasons. His 124 stops ranked third on the team. Kirksey also recorded two interceptions and a recovered fumble. The starting middle linebacker should return in 2023, although there could be changes to the defensive alignment with a new coaching regime.
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Texans' Jonathan Owens: Free agency awaits
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Owens recorded eight tackles in a 32-31 win over Indianapolis in Week 18.
Owens was second on the team with 125 tackles. It was the best of four seasons in Houston and puts the safety in a good position for becoming an unrestricted free agent in March.
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Texans' Jalen Pitre: Logs eight tackles in finale
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Pitre (concussion) recorded eight tackles before leaving Houston's 32-31 win over the Colts in Week 18.
Pitre led the Texans with 147 tackles and five interceptions. The rookie second-round pick out of Baylor, who started the year strong but faded in the middle, resuscitated his season after being moved from strong to free safety. After the switch, Pitre recorded 71 tackles over the final six games. Given health, Pitre will have a starting spot on the back end in 2023.
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Texans' Jalen Pitre: Removed with possible concussion
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Pitre exited Sunday's game against the Colts to be evaluated for a concussion.
Pitre appears to have sustained a head injury at some point during the second half. The rookie safety has emerged in a do-it-all role in Houston's secondary, and he logged eight tackles before being removed in the fourth quarter. In his absence, M.J. Stewart and Eric Murray could be in line for additional usage during the remainder of the fourth quarter.
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Texans' Ogbonnia Okoronkwo: Available for season finale
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Okoronkwo (illness) is officially active for Sunday's game at Indianapolis.
Okoronkwo was questionable due to an illness but is available for Sunday's season finale. The 27-year-old has played in all 16 games this season and has 43 tackles (31 solo), five sacks and one forced fumble.
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Texans' Steven Nelson: To miss Week 18
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Nelson (illness) will be sidelined for the Texans' regular-season finale against the Colts, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Nelson has been sidelined all week with an illness and the Texans have opted to err on the side of caution. The next man up at cornerback is expected to be Tremon Smith, who will start opposite Desmond King.
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Texans' Steven Nelson: Iffy for Sunday
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Nelson is questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Colts due to an illness.
Nelson didn't practice during Week 18 prep due to an illness, but he'll still have a chance to suit up Sunday. However, if he's sidelined, Tavierre Thomas, Jacobi Francis and Tremon Smith would be candidates for increased roles opposite Desmond King.
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Texans' Ogbonnia Okoronkwo: Questionable with illness
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Okoronkwo is questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Colts due to an illness.
Okoronkwo landed on the injury report Thursday as a non-participant due to an illness and was limited during Friday's session. If he's unable to suit up, Jonathan Greenard, Rasheem Green and Mario Addison would be candidates for increased snaps opposite Jerry Hughes.
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Texans' Desmond King: Grabs interception in blowout loss
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King recorded eight tackles (six solo) and one interception during Sunday's 31-3 loss to the Jaguars.
King logged his second pick of the season when he made a diving interception on an underthrown pass from Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in the second quarter. This was also the sixth-year cornerback's first pass defended since Week 5, though he's still tied with safety Jalen Pitre for the Texans' most passes defended this season with eight. King should continue to serve as one of the team's top cornerbacks alongside Steven Nelson in Week 18 against Tennessee.
