Texans Elevate Matt Ammendola From Practice Squad

The Houston faithful responded accordingly, putting forth "MVP" chants in honor of Stroud who has turned heads around the league in his rookie season.

NOV 26 STROUD TO TANK The Houston Texans found themselves in an early hole vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars, trailing 10-0 midway through the second quarter.

Then, however, C.J. Stroud and the offense woke up, with the rookie QB leading the Texans down the field for a touchdown drive, culminating in a TD pass to fellow rookie Tank Dell.

The play was set up by an explosive play from running back Devin Singletary, who has been on a tear over the last few weeks for Houston.

Stroud finished the drive 3 of 3 for 66 yards and the score. 

NOV 22 Leonard Done in Indy The Indianapolis Colts, a division rival of the Texans, made a surprising roster decision. After six years as a member of the Colts, Indianapolis waived All Pro linebacker Shaq Leonard Tuesday afternoon.

Leonard has started nine games for the Colts this season. But for the first time in his career, Leonard's playing time and production has declined. After the Colts drafted him during the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft (No. 36 overall), Leonard has recorded 614 tackles, 31 pass deflections and 15.0 sacks.

NOV 20 KING SIGNED The Houston Texans have signed defensive back Desmond King II to the practice squad, the team announced Monday. 

King was with the Texans in 2021-22, playing in 33 games with 25 starts, and recording 182 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, five interceptions and two fumble recoveries. 

King was then released in August of this year during final roster cuts, later signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

He was then released by the Steelers in October and has been a free agent since. 

NOV. 19 WEEK 11 INACTIVES: After recording career highs in back-to-back games, wide receiver Noah Brown will be one of seven inactive players during the Texans' Week 11 match against the Arizona Cardinals.

Joining Brown are Jimmie Ward, Dameon Pierce, Henry To'oTo'o, Jake Hansen, Case Keenum and Eric Saubert.

NOV 15 WAGERING THE GAME Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud joined NFL Legend Tom Brady on his 'Let's Go' Podcast on Tuesday, where the two discussed Stroud's quick rise during his rookie campaign. 

However, that wasn't the only discussion on the table, with the two also exchanging jabs about the upcoming matchup between Stroud's Ohio State Buckeyes and Brady's Michigan Wolverines on Nov. 25 - a game that will have major Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff ramifications. 

The two even went so far as to make a playful wager, in which Brady offered up on of his seven Super Bowl rings, should the Buckeyes take down the Wolverines in Ann Arbor. 

"If Ohio State wins... you get one of my Super Bowl rings," Brady said. "And if Michigan beats Ohio State, then you got to give me all your youth, your agility, your time in the 40 (yard dash), and all your future years in the NFL. How about that?"

"That's a bet," Stroud responded.

Fortunately for Stroud, history seems to be on his side, with his Buckeyes taking 16 of the last 21 matchups in the series. Michigan has won the last two, however.

NOV 13 'VICTORY MONDAY' Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans gave his team the day off on Monday after its big win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

Ryans' defense held Cincy to 380 yards of total offense, and he saw his rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud pass for 356 yards, almost surpassing the Bengals' team total by himself. 

You can view the announcement from Ryans below.

NOV 12 SINGLETARY SCORES The Houston Texans have a commanding 20-7 lead over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday afternoon, thanks in large part to another monster day from rookie quarterback, C.J. Stroud.

However, running back Devin Singletary has also been a big part of the equation on Sunday as well, rushing for 95 yards on 18 carries - including a big third-quarter score to give Houston its biggest lead of the day.

Singletary started the game in place of the injured Dameon Pierce, who has not played since the team's October 29 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

NOV. 7 NEW KICKER The Houston Texans are signing veteran kicker Matt Ammendola to their practice squad on Tuesday in the wake of the injury to their regular kicker, Ka'imi Fairbairn, according to reports.

Fairbairn was forced to leave the Texans thrilling 39-37 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday with a quad injury, prompting the insertion of backup running Dare Ogunbowale as the emergency kicker. 

Fairbairn is expected to miss a few weeks.

Ogunbowale was even able to make a 29-yard field goal in place of Fairbairn, which proved to be a major difference in the game. 

With Fairbairn likely unable to go next week vs. the Bengals, Ammendola should be promoted to the active roster. 

NOV. 5 KA'IMI OUT: Texans running back Dare Ogunbowale is the new guy handling kicking duties with Ka'imi Fairbairn out due to a quad injury. In addition to Fairbairn, safeties Jimmie Ward (hamstring) and M.J. Stewart (shoulder) have also been ruled out due to their respective injuries.

NOV. 5 WEEK 9 INACTIVES: Running back Dameon Pierce will be one of six players who will not be available for Sunday's Week 9 match against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to an ankle injury.

Pierce will be joined by Robert Woods, Brevin Jordan, Case Keenum, Nick Broker and Sheldon Rankins.

OCT 31 HOUSTON-CARSON SIGNED Per his agent David Canter, the Houston Texans signed safety DeAndre Houston-Carson off of the Ravens practice squad on Tuesday.

Houston-Carson played two games with the Texans in September, making two total tackles in his first game before moving on to Baltimore. 

Houston Carson spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Chicago Bears, making 142 tackles, two tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and three interceptions. 

OCT 29 BECK SCORES Houston Texans fullback/tight end Andrew Beck is in the end zone for the second time this season on Sunday, rushing the ball in from one yard out to put his team up 7-0 early over the Carolina Panthers. 

Beck's first touchdown of the season came one month ago against the Jacksonville Jaguars when he took a kick back 86 yards for a touchdown in the Texans' win.

The rushing score was just Beck's second touch on offense this season.

OCT 18 TEXANS CLAIM SANDERS The Texans' defensive front received a boost Wednesday afternoon. As first reported by Aaron Wilson of KPRC, the Texans claimed pass-rusher Myjai Sanders off waivers.

Sanders is a 2022 third-round pick who was selected by the Arizona Cardinals. In 13 games last season, Sanders recorded 23 tackles, 3.0 sacks, one fumble recovery and a forced fumble. Sanders sustained a hand injury during training camp, which led to him falling out of the Cardinals' rotation this season.

OCT 18 RICHARDSON MAKES DECISION After suffering an AC joint sprain in Week 5, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson has elected to undergo season-ending surgery to repair the injury.

Colts owner Jim Irsay released a statement on the decision on Wednesday. 

"After consultation with our medical staff, Anthony, and those close to him, it has been determined that he will undergo surgery to repair his injured shoulder, which will end his season," Irsay said. "Anthony is a competitor, and we know how difficult and disappointing this is for him and our team."

Before the injury, Richardson had emerged as one of the most promising young quarterbacks in the league, throwing for 577 yards and rushing for 136 yards, with seven total touchdowns in just two full games. 

Richardson was also knocked out of the game in Week 2 vs. the Texans with a concussion.

Fortunately for the Colts, a full recovery is expected for Richardson.

"We collected several medical opinions and we felt this was the best course of action for his long-term health," Irsay said. "We anticipate a full recovery and there is no doubt Anthony has a promising future."

OCT 15 WEEK 6 INACTIVES: Against one of the league's top defenses, the Texans will be without rookie wide receiver Tank Dell for Sunday's contest against the New Orleans Saints. Dell, who is out due to a concussion, headlines one of six inactive players. 

Other Texans set to miss the contest include defensive back Tavierre Thomas, linebacker Denzel Perryman, QB Case Keenum, offensive lineman Nick Broeker, and running back Dare Ogunbowale.

The Saints meanwhile, will be without QB Jake Luton, wideout A.T. Perry, defensive back Lonnie Johnson Jr., defensive back J.T. Gray, offensive lineman Landon Young, tight end  Juwan Johnson, and defensive end Kyle Phillips

OCT 8 WEEK 5 INACTIVES: The Texans will take to the field at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium Sunday without two vital pieces of their defense, Shaquill Griffin and Christian Harris.

Griffin missed the final two days of practice after sustaining a calf injury Wednesday afternoon at the Houston Methodist Training Center. Harris did not participate during Friday's practice due to a concussion. 

Griffin and Harris will be joined by Tavierre Thomas, Case Keenum, Garret Wallow, Dare Ogunbowale and Josh Jones during their Week 5 match against the Atlanta Falcons.

OCT 1 WEEK 4 INACTIVES: Headlined by Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil, the Texans will have seven players inactive during their Week 4 match against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Tunsil will be joined by Tavierre Thomas, Denzel Perryman, Case Keenum, Dare Ogunbowale, Michael Deiter and Josh Jones.

OCT 1 TRADE TALK? NFL teams have been making calls to express their interested in trading for Texans backup QB Case Keenum, SI reports … but Houston has no plans to trade him, per the report.

The logic - and it is sound: Keenum is bringing value in what he’s done to help mentor rookie QB C.J. Stroud’s development. 

Stroud, who will lead the Texans today in a Week 4 home game against the Steelers, is off to a good start .. and the vet Keenum has been a part of that.

AUG 22 TITANS TRAGEDY The home of Tennessee Titans cornerback Caleb Farley exploded overnight, say authorities in North Carolina, killing the player’s father Robert Farley, age 61.

The Titans, a chief rival of the Texans in the AFC South, drafted 

Caleb Farley out of Virginia Tech as a first-round pick in 2021.

Farley was not present at the time of the explosion in the 6,300-square-foot home, which has been “reduced to rubble,” as one report phrased it.

Fans of the Texans and NFL are certainly thinking of the Farley family at this time.

AUG 18 CLOWNEY TO RAVENS The Ravens and Jadeveon Clowney have agreed to a deal, per Jordan Schultz. After spending two years in Cleveland, Clowney - the former Texans first-round pick - will continue to play in the AFC … but now with the Ravens against the Browns … in two meetings this season.

AUGUST 11 DELL AND DEZ There was no bigger performer for the Houston Texans offense on Thursday night than rookie wide receiver Tank Dell, who led the team with five catches for 65 yards and a score on eight targets. 

He even made the highlight reel play of the game - and maybe the entire preseason - on a circus catch in the front left corner of the end zone at the end of the first half. 

And as a result, former Dallas Cowboys star Dez Bryant came away extremely impressed. 

"Tank Dell I SAW YOU!" Bryant Tweeted. "Put on for the H!"

Dell will have another chance to impress Bryant next week in preseason game No. 2.

AUGUST 10 CLOWNEY OFFERED Raven Country reported that journeyman defensive end Jadeveon Clowney met with the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday, and now further reports indicate the Ravens have offered Clowney a contract.

He has signed four consecutive one-year contracts that averaged almost $10 million a season, but he didn’t sign his one-year, $12.25 million deal with the Titans until Sept. 6, 2020.

He probably won't draw that kind of paycheck this time around, as the 30-year-old has registered just 14 sacks and 42 quarterback hits the past four seasons combined, while missing 19 games.

AUGUST 9 WATSON STARTING Former Houston Texans star quarterback Deshaun Watson is set to start under center for the Cleveland Browns in their first preseason matchup against the Washington Commanders this weekend. 

Watson, of course, was traded to the Browns in the midst of his suspension in exchange for a haul of draft picks but struggled to find his footing once he got back onto the field. 

Now, with a full offseason under his belt, Watson will have a chance to show why the Browns invested so heavily in his talents. 

AUGUST 8 CLOWNEY IS IN BALTIMORE Old pal Jadeveon Clowney always seems to find a way to work ... and this might be a nice fit. He visited with the Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday as they attempt to bolster their pass rush prior to the 2023 season.

The Ravens would be Clowney's fifth NFL team since he came into the league in 2014 as the No. 1 overall draft pick of the Houston Texans.

In nine seasons with Houston, Seattle, Tennessee and Cleveland, Clowney has registered one interception that was a pick-6, eight fumble recoveries with three being returned for touchdowns, 320 tackles with 224 solo and 90 for loss, and 109 quarterback hits in 109 career games. 

AUG 4 DESHAUN WATCHES HOF GAME WIN The preseason is real football of a sort, and Texans fans had a reason to watch on Thursday as the Cleveland Browns beat the New York Jets, 21-16, in Canton on Thursday. 

New Jets QB Aaron Rodgers? He was there. Semi-new Browns QB Deshaun Watson? He was there, too ... but both of them sat while for the Browns, UCLA rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson was the star, the fifth-round quarterback  completing eight of 11 passes for 82 yards and a TD, and also rushing six times for 36.

That is going to be Texans ex Watson's show after having been traded - and then suspended - once the real games begin. And yes, we bet Houston fans will keep an eye on the Browns ... and on the Texans, who open up their own preseason at the Patriots at 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 10.

JULY 19 OWNERSHIP RIPS SAUDIS The ownership family of the Jacksonville Jaguars is accusing the potential future owners of an NFL franchise of "getting away with murder'' - and the phrase is meant literally.

“It’s amazing and I think if you have enough money you can get away with anything, including murder, and try to sign up all the top players in the world,” said Jags exec Tony Khan, the son of team owner Shad Khan. Khan, a Pakistani-American has international business and sports interests and leads the suddenly contending Jaguars in the AFC South, competing with the Houston Texans.

Khan, speaking on the Dan Le Batard show, is talking about the powers than be in Saudi Arabia - the controversial Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia - and could be referring to either their rule in general or the highly publicized murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which that the nation's royal family has been implicated in.

The PIF is a primary funders of LIV Golf, which recently announced a merger with the PGA Tour. The NFL has spoken openly about a future Saudi Arabia involvement in the league at the ownership level.

APRIL 2023 The 2023 NFL Draft is over. The Houston Texans came away with nine prospects, headlined by quarterback C.J. Stroud and EDGE Will Anderson Jr. at picks No. 2 and 3. 

But the Texans will continue to add to their rookie class by signing undrafted prospects through free agency. According to general manager Nick Caserio, Houston could have up to 86 players on their roster by the end of the weekend. 

"We will leave a few spots open for other players," Caserio said. "There might be an opportunity whether now, next week or throughout the spring, we have to leave ourselves some flexibility for us to add players who can help."

Keep track of the Texans' rookie signings below...

EDGE Ali Gaye, LSU: Ali Gaye played three seasons at LSU, where he recorded a combined 18.0 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks. The 2022 campaign marked Gaye's best season, where he recorded a career-best 36 tackles and 2.5 sacks and a pair of force fumbles for the Tigers.

RB Xazavian Valladay, RB Arizona State: Xazavian Valladay played one season at Arizona State, where he rushed for 1,192 yards and 16 touchdowns in 12 games. But before his time with the Sun Devils, Valladay played four seasons at Wyoming.

OL Tyler Beach, OL Wisconsin: Tyler Beach played three seasons at Wisconsin where he appeared in dozen games.

WR Jared Wayne, Pittsburgh

DB Darius Joiner, Duke

OL Dylan Deatherage, Western Michigan

P Joe Doyle, Memphis

WR Jesse Matthews, San Deigo State