The Houston Texans made waves in multiple ways ahead of the deadline for teams to finalize their 53-man roster for the 2025 regular season, and one of the more surprising was their decision to cut recent trade acquisition Harrison Bryant.
A fourth-round draft pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2020, Bryant arrived via trade to the Texans on August 17.
His tenure lasted all of nine days.
“Texans released TE Harrison Bryant, whom they acquired from the Eagles as part of last week’s trade for WR John Metchie,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on X on August 26.
Bryant was the No. 115 overall pick of his draft class, and he joined the Texans with 98 receptions, 877 yards, and 10 touchdowns in his career.
Despite his exit from the roster, Bryant’s time with the Texans may not be over.
Texans Could Bring Harrison Bryant Back After Rosters Settle
GettyHouston Texans general manager Nick Caserio has taken bold measures involving wide receiver Jayden Higgins.
Texans general manager Nick Caserio could be biding his time in delayed plans to have Bryant on the roster.
“Because Harrison Bryant has more than 4 years of service, he is not subject to the NFL’s waiver system,” ESPN’s Field Yates posted on X, quoting Schefter’s report. “Given that the Texans just traded for him last week, it sure would seem this is a procedural move and Bryant will be re-signed soon after some further roster shuffling.”
The Texans’ tight end situation took a noteworthy turn before they decided to cut Bryant. They finalized their roster for the time being with only two tight ends, starter Dalton Schultz and 2024 fourth-round draft pick Cade Stover.
“#Texans tight end situation with Irv Smith Jr. sidelined with sprained ankle and now potentially going to injured reserve could mean role for Harrison Bryant here after trade with #Eagles for John Metchie III,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson posted on X on August 26, before the roster cutdown deadline. “Team has flexibility with fullback Jakob Johnson, who can also play TE.”
That, naturally, gave way to some surprise that Bryant was among the Texans’ cuts.
The Texans cut Johnson, lost Brevin Jordan for the season to a knee injury, and waived Dalton Keene with an injury settlement. The Texans cut recent signing Tre’ McKitty, too, leaving themselves thin at TE with Bryant now free to go as he pleases.
Rookie QB Takes Harrison Bryant’s Roster Spot
GettyGraham Mertz #18 of the Houston Texans throws a pass against the Detroit Lions.
The Texans may have opted to use the roster spot Bryant would have occupied to protect another player, rookie sixth-round pick and quarterback Graham Mertz. He drew high praise from Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans after his performance in the preseason finale.
Even still, his making the roster over Byant was the source of intrigue.
“Looks like Harrison Bryant is not on the 53-man roster,” The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander posted on X on August 26. “His spot was likely taken up by Mertz.”
Mertz is behind starter C.J. Stroud and top backup Davis Mills, so the Texans really wanted to keep him from reaching the open market.
The Texans could bring Bryant back on the practice squad with the idea that he keeps Keene’s spot until the latter is healthy. Teams can begin signing players to their practice squad on August 27 and noon ET.
Until then, the Texans can only hope they can bring Bryant back, if that is their plan.
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