The Houston Texans will cap Wild Card weekend with a road date against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday, January 12, and they have shaken up their roster in a significant way well in advance of taking the field.
In a surprising development, the Texans parted with a player who has started and/or logged starter-level snaps in each of the last two weeks.
What comes next for the Texans could already be quite clear.
Texans ‘Waived’ Starting DB From Roster
GettyK’Von Wallace #38 and Azeez Al-Shaair #0 of the Houston Texans celebrate an interception against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Texans announced via their official website on January 6 that they “waived the following player,” naming defensive back K’Von Wallace .
“Wallace drew praise for his tackling against the Los Angeles Chargers ,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson wrote in an article on January 6. “However, he was responsible for some coverage breakdowns in a win over the Indianapolis Colts .
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans lamented the many busted coverages in the finale.
“We didn’t end the year well defensively. When it comes to giving up explosive plays, it was really not good enough defensively. So, we got to do a much better job if we want to advance and play longer in the playoffs. We got to play much better defense. So, it didn’t end how it should have,” Ryans told reporters on January 5.
“From our last game, it’s too many busts. Guys not being where they’re supposed to be, doing what they’re supposed to do. And when you bust plays and coverages, you give up big plays.”
The Texans parted ways with C.J. Gardner-Johnson earlier this season for similar reasons.
Wallace, the No. 127 overall pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020, had been with the Texans since November. He played only on special teams in his Texans debut in Week 15, but Wallace earned the starting safety job in Week 16 and logged an even higher snap share in Week 17.
Wallace is still listed on the Texans’ depth chart as a starting safety opposite Calen Bullock . The Texans have Jalen Pitre , a safety by trade, but also their preferred option at nickelback.
Notably, practice squad elevations reset in the postseason.
The Texans, who only used one standard elevation on the Wallace during the regular season, can re-sign the veteran DB to their practice squad and elevate him up to three times. That would create another decision should the Texans reach a fourth game, the Super Bowl.
At any rate, there is a clear path for Wallace to return to the Texans’ roster in some capacity in short order, since he does not need to clear waivers as a vested veteran .
He was technically “released,” meaning he is free to sign with any team he chooses.
That is a risk the Texans are clearly willing to take, which is another potential sign of their intentions to retain Wallace on the roster. However, the Texans’ decision to move on from Gardner-Johnson, whom they acquired in a trade last offseason, did not slow them down.
Texans Activate Pass Rusher
GettyDarrell Taylor #52 of the Houston Texans reacts against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers .
Wallace’s departure was only part of the story for the Texans’ roster on Tuesday. The Texans also announced that they “activated the following player from the Reserve/Injured list,” and named defensive end Darrell Taylor .
Taylor is in his first season with the Texans.
Originally the No. 48 overall pick of the 2020 draft by the Seattle Seahawks , Taylor is on his third team in the last three seasons. He has also played for the Chicago Bears .
He has played in four games this season, logging 3 total tackles for the Texans. Taylor rejoins a pass rush featuring Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. at the top. The Texans also have Denico Autry , Derek Barnett , and Dylan Horton in supporting roles.
The Texans tied for the fifth-most sacks this season, without Taylor contributing to the count.
However, the Texans wanted to get Taylor back on their active roster. Enough that they risked potentially losing Wallace to an aggressive suitor. Time will tell if that decision was prudent.
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