DeMeco Ryans and the Houston Texans made several noteworthy changes to their roster on their final day of preparation before facing the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17.
With their slew of additions, the Texans also cut ties with one of their in-season pickups.
It has become a common occurrence for the Texans, just like every other NFL team, especially at this late stage of the NFL season. Still, the sheer volume of moves the Texans made stands out ahead of a critical contest that could significantly impact positioning in the AFC playoffs.
Texans Add Journeyman CB to Roster
GettyK’Von Wallace #24 of the Seattle Seahawks looks on before the game against the New York Giants.
In what was arguably their most significant move, the Texans announced via their official website on December 26 that they “signed the following player to the active roster from the practice squad,” naming defensive back K’Von Wallace.
Wallace, 28, is a former fourth-round draft pick (No. 127 overall) of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020.
He is in his first season with the Texans.
A journeyman on his seventh NFL team, Wallace has played 13 snaps, all on special teams, in 2025. He has also spent time with the Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, Seattle Seahawks, and Tennessee Titans.
Starters Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter shed their injury designations before the end of the week, but the Texans ruled out reserve Ajani Carter due to a hamstring issue.
Wallace steps in to fill the void.
Texans Start Clock on Veteran D-Linemen
GettySidy Sow #62 of the New England Patriots warms up before facing the Buffalo Bills.
The Texans also announced that they “elevated the following two players from the practice squad for Week 17,” adding veterans Leki Fotu and Sidy Sow to their defensive and offensive lines, respectively.
Fotu was the 114th overall pick in the 2024 draft, spending the first four years of his career with the Cardinals before stints with the New York Jets and Las Vegas Raiders.
Fotu joined the Texans’ practice squad on December 23.
Sow, the No. 117 overall pick in 2023 by the New England Patriots, signed to the Texans’ practice squad in September. He started for the Texans in Week 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but has otherwise been a reserve.
The Texans can elevate Sow once more after this, per league rules, while Fotu has two more standard elevations available.
After that, the Texans would need to sign Fotu and/or Sow to their 53-man roster to dress them.
Texans Cut Special Teams Ace
GettyAmeer Speed #37 of the Indianapolis Colts reacts against the Cincinnati Bengals.
In their lone move parting ways with a player, the Texans’ release announced that they “waived the following player from the active roster,” naming journeyman cornerback Ameer Speed as the unfortunate party.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein billed Speed as a potential “star” on special teams in 2023.
He has 2 total tackles in two games played with the Texans this season, and he had a significant role in the third phase when active.
The Texans have been banged up in their secondary all season, including the questions around Lassiter and Stingley before they were cleared. Speed’s limited role–at a spot where the Texans still boast roster depth–likely made him expendable.
Wallace can play inside and out, and even at safety, giving the Texans depth at multiple spots.
Similarly, the Texans have more pressing needs along their offensive and defensive lines, with starters out for both groups this week and, on the D-line at least, beyond.
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