HOUSTON – The Texans are reacquiring veteran tight end Harrison Bryant, via their practice squad, per a league source.
He was released during the roster cutdown to 53 players, but is rejoining the team and expected to be active for the Texans’ season-opener against the Los Angeles Rams.
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He was acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles in a trade for wide receiver John Metchie III.
The deal also involved a swap of third-day draft selection with the Texans acquiring a 2026 fifth-round pick from Philadelphia in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round selection.
Bryant, 27, is a 6-foot-5, 243-pound former Cleveland Browns fourth-round draft pick from Florida Atlantic who has caught 98 career passes for 877 yards and 10 touchdowns. He spent last season with the Las Vegas Raiders
In college, he caught 149 career passes for 2,137 yards and 16 touchdowns. catching nine passes for 86 yards in 13 games and three starts.
In 2022, Bryant caught a career-high 31 passes for 239 yards and one score for the Browns.
In a 45-14 playoff win by the Texans over the Browns in Ryans’ first season, Bryant had a 47-yard catch on a Joe Flacco pass.
“Seeing Harrison, he made some plays against us when he was with the Browns,” Ryans said. “He made a big play versus us. So you see a guy who’ve very capable of making plays. Very excited to just add him to our roster and let him get in our room.”
Bryant is in a competitive situation.
“Harrison will come in and compete,” Ryans said. “We have a lot of good tight ends, so we’re excited to see him just pop in and compete. He can run well. He competes at the line of scrimmage.”
Practice squad forming
The Texans are signing former Pro Bowl offensive tackle Trent Brown to their practice squad, per a league source.
The Texans are signing veteran fullback Jakob Johnson to practice squad, per a league source.
The Texans are signing wide receiver Jared Wayne back to their practice squad, per a league source.
The Texans are signing undrafted rookie center Eli Cox to their practice squad, per a league source.
The Texans are re-signing versatile defensive back Myles Bryant to the practice squad, per a league source.
The Texans are signing defensive tackle Junior Tafuna to the practice squad, per a league source.
The Texans are signing defensive end Solomon Byrd to the practice squad, per a league source.
The Texans are signing offensive lineman Jaylon Thomas to the practice squad, per a league source.
The Texans are signing international defensive tackle Haggai Ndubuisi to their practice squad, per a league source.
The Texans are signing tight end Luke Lachey to their practice squad, a seventh-round draft pick from Iowa, to their practice squad, per a league source.
The Texans are signing linebacker K.C. Ossai to their practice squad, per a league source. Ossai is from Conroe and is the younger brother of Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Joseph Ossai.
The Texans are signing linebacker Jackson Woodard, a former Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year from UNLV, per a league source.
Arnette makes his move
Veteran corner Damon Arnette Jr. hit rock bottom during his absence from the NFL, dealing with personal issues and multiple legal problems.
Arnette has worked diligently to address those complications and embracing sobriety. It’s a life change more so even than what he’s doing on the field.
Arnette had an interception against the Carolina Panthers.
The Texans are signing him to their practice squad, per a league source.
He has drawn interest around the NFL, including the 49ers, Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts.
This second chance has been embraced by Arnette.
“It’s amazing,” Arnette told KPRC 2. “Grateful.”
And the Texans, including Ryans, have recognized how Arnette has approached this opportunity.
“Damon has been very thankful of the opportunity to be able to return to the NFL and we’re grateful to give him that opportunity,” Ryans said. “I think we all need that next chance. To be able to give him that, he’s taken it and he’s ran with it. He’s done some really nice things for us not only in the game, taking the football away, but also in practice.
“He’s gotten better of getting back into the flow of how things are on this level. He has the physical tools needed to play cornerback on this level. He just needs to keep improving on the technique and the small fundamental things we’re asking him to do. But he’s done a really nice job. Pleased with where he is.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com
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