HOUSTON – The Texans’ defensive line got reinforcements Monday afternoon.
Veteran defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi, arguably the top run-stuffer on the roster, and backup defensive end Derek Barnett were activated from the physically unable to perform list as they passed their physicals.
Recommended Videos
Reserve defensive tackle Marlon Davidson got hurt against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday in the third quarter and remained in the game before being placed on injured reserve with a biceps injury Monday, per a league source. Surgery is not expected to be needed for Davison.
Both Fatukasi and Barnett were eased into drills individually after missing a lot of time.
“Really encouraging to see Foley and Derek step back on the field today,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Two guys who you kind of forget that these guys played a lot of snaps for us. They played a lot of meaningful football, and they were impact players for us last year. I’m excited to get them back out and see how they enhance our defensive line even more.
“Being able to roll those guys, we got a lot of players over there that can really impact the game. I’m excited to see them just work their way back into football shape. It’s very pleasing to have them back out today.”
Fatukasi, 30, is a key defender who has recovered from a shoulder injury that delayed his free agency process.
Fatukasi battled through foot and ankle injuries last season to emerge again as a vital interior player for the AFC South champion Texans’ defense
“Look around, really great players,” Fatukasi told KPRC 2 as he looked around the Texans’ locker room after a playoff win over the Los Angeles Chargers. “This is the best team I’ve ever been on. Just to really see how everyone comes together and has each others’ backs, it’s amazing to watch. Both sides of the ball, it’s really fun to see.”
It was Fatukasi who delivered a key tackle for a loss of two yards on Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins in a 32-12 AFC wild-card round playoff victory. Fatukasi’s size and instincts make a difference in the Texans’ defense, which stonewalled the Chargers running game for just 50 rushing yards on 18 carries as Dobbins gained just 26 yards on nine carries for an average of 2.9 yards per carry.
Fatukasi, signed last year to a one-year, $5.125 million that included a $3.125 million signing bonus and $4.625 million total guaranteed, was previously with the New York Jets and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Limited to 11 games last season due to injuries, Fatukasi recorded 24 tackles, four for losses, three quarterback hits and one sack in the regular season.
Barnett re-signed this offseason with the Texans on a one-year, $5 million contract, per a league source.
The deal includes a $1.5 million signing bonus, a $2.25 million base salary and $14,706 per game active roster bonuses, up to $250,000, plus additional incentives to push the total maximum value of the deal to $5 million.
Barnett scored two touchdowns last season and recorded five sacks, 26 tackles, four for losses and seven quarterback hits in 16 games and one start last season. He’s been a strong addition to the Texans since being claimed last season from the Eagles off waivers. He had 2 1/2 sacks in four starts and six games for the Texans two seasons ago and 29 career sacks, 49 tackles for losses, 94 quarterback hits and five forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries.
The Texans worked out four players Monday, according to a league source.
That included wide receiver Grant DuBose, offensive tackle Conor McDermott, defensive back Jaylin Simpson and wide receiver Winston Wright. None were immediately signed to a contract.
Strong day for Jayden Higgins, offense
Rookie wide receiver Jayden Higgins has been as advertised. He’s big and dangerous downfield deep threat. The second-round draft pick from Iowa State can do it all.
He had a long touchdown catch on a throw from quarterback C.J. Stroud. He also made a slick one-handed grab. Higgins caught both passes thrown to him against the Minnesota Vikings.
The offensive line, comprised of left tackle Aireontae Ersery, left guard Laken Tomlinson, center Jake Andrews, right guard Ed Ingram and right tackle Tytus Howard, provided enough time for Stroud to operate. That included a good throw to slot receiver Christian Kirk. Ersery was beaten for a sack by Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter, but he had a good game against the Vikings with Cam Robinson sidelined with a leg injury.
“Our offensive line, they’ve been working well together,” Ryans said. “Last week, we shuffled some guys around. They’ve worked well. Tae, we put him at left tackle. We saw the reps that he had in the game, thought he did a really nice job. The game isn’t too big for Tae and that’s what stands out to me for the rookie. He stepped right in.
“Again, there’s always reps to improve upon, but where he started, that’s a really strong start for a rookie. I just want to see this week, when he gets a few more reps, let’s see how he plays against the Panthers, how he plays against their ends. They have good ends. So, we’ll see how he does this week.”
Rookie running back Woody Marks with the first-team offense and held up in pass protection. He ran for a first down, working in tandem with the starters with Dare Ogunbowale, who had a nice game against the Vikings.
Dameon Pierce practiced, but just in individual drills as he continues to progress now that he’s back from his strained quadriceps.
Nick Chubb was still in a red non-contact injury after suffering a head injury on a hit from corner Kamari Lassiter in West Virginia.
Fullback Jakob Johnson, who can also play tight end, impressed Ryans in the tape of the Vikings game.
The toughness from the offense against Minnesota was an improvement.
“One thing I liked was the physicality, starting up front,” Ryans said. “I turned on the first snap of our offense line, the way we were coming on off the ball, resetting the line of scrimmage, Jak [Johnson] coming through, playing physical at that fullback position. I just like the physicality that was shown. Of course, there’s always room for improvement when it comes to technique and finishing some blocks and things at the second level.”
Nick Caley called plays from coaches’ booth
In his NFL play-calling debut, which included a misdirection, play-action roll-out touchdown pass from Davis Mills to Braxton Berrios, Texans first-year offensive coordinator Nick Caley called plays from the coaches’ booth.
That was Caley’s decision.
Against the Carolina Panthers, he’ll orchestrate the offense from the sidelines.
“For Caley, he wanted to call it up top,” Ryans said. “I think, as a coordinator, you have to get your feel. As a first-time caller, you get a good feel for doing it up top and also doing it on the field. So, for him, I think the first one, he was up. Now this week, we’ll flip it.
“He’ll be down this week. So, this [week] we’ll use preseason for coaches as well to go through the mechanics of how we operate on the sideline. But the communication was really, really great from the offensive and defensive perspective.”
Praise for E.J. Speed
Veteran linebacker E.J. Speed delivered some punishing tackles and displayed outstanding range and pursuit angles against the Vikings. It was similar to what Speed did last season with the Indianapolis Colts when he recorded a career-high 142 tackles.
The Tarleton State graduate and former Colts fifth-round draft pick excelled in his debut for the Texans after signing a one-year, $5 million contract in the offseason.
“I’ve liked E.J. ever since he was coming out of Tarleton State, actually,” Ryans said. “Thought I could find a way to sneak him in there to get him to San Francisco, but the Colts scooped him up. I really loved his length, his speed, athletic ability from afar and now, being with him, just seeing how great of a guy he is.
“He’s always got a smile on his face, always accepting whatever challenge I present to him. He showed up big time for us in the game, being on his assignments and really flash playing physical, attacking the football. The traits I look for in defensive players, he definitely showed that. So, I’m excited to see him this week. We’re going to give him even more to see how he does with it.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com