The Houston Texans have officially signed Chris Braswell, a former second-round draft pick from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, to their practice squad. This move comes as the team looks to bolster its defensive depth ahead of the upcoming season, particularly with injuries affecting their edge rusher positions.
Braswell was selected 57th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft after a notable college career at the University of Alabama. During his time with the Buccaneers, he appeared in 34 games, tallying 48 combined tackles and 2.5 sacks, but did not secure a starting position. His release from Tampa Bay on August 30 led to his addition to the Texans' roster shortly thereafter.
While his statistics in the NFL may not reflect his potential, Braswell's college performance was significantly more impressive. In his final season at Alabama, he recorded eight sacks and 10 tackles for loss, showcasing his ability to pressure quarterbacks effectively.
The Texans' current roster features established pass rushers such as Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter, and Jadeveon Clowney, which allows Braswell to develop in a less pressured role. His familiarity with Anderson, a former teammate at Alabama, may also aid his transition into the Texans' defensive system.
Despite a strong top-tier group, the Texans' depth has been compromised, with injuries to players like Dylan Horton and Ali Gaye. This makes Braswell's addition particularly valuable, as he can be elevated to the active roster if needed and is expected to quickly grasp the defensive strategies under head coach DeMeco Ryans.
