The Houston Texans took advantage of a surprising decision from the interconference, in-state rivals, claiming former Dallas Cowboys draft pick Damone Clark.
Entering a pivotal Week 12 matchup against the Buffalo Bills on “Thursday Night Football,” the Texans have many potential areas of need in their injury-riddled group. However, Clark’s position of linebacker was not among those that immediately jumped off the page.
In the end, the Texans appear to have bolstered a strength with a talented, but maligned player.
Texans Awarded Former Cowboys LB Damone Clark Off Waivers
GettyDamone Clark #18 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up before facing the Baltimore Ravens.
“#Texans … awarded Damone Clark off waivers from #Cowboys,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported on X on November 19.
Clark, 25, was a fifth-round pick, selected with the No. 176 overall pick of the 2022 draft by the Cowboys after a decorated career for the LSU Tigers. Their decision to waive him came following their trade deadline acquisition of Logan Wilson from the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Cowboys also activated defensive end Perrion Winfrey from IR and needed room.
Clark, who is listed at 6-foot-3 and roughly 240 pounds, has logged 14 total tackles in eight games this season with two starts.
He has mostly played special teams for the Cowboys over the past two seasons, logging larger snap shares there than on defense, per Pro Football Reference. To that end, the Texans have allowed the 13th-fewest yards per kick return, but the 11th-most yards per punt return this year.
If Clark can help shore that up, the move will be a win for the Texans.
“He was a second-team All-American and first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection for the Tigers,” Wilson wrote in a follow-up report on the move. “A New Orleans native, Clark underwent spinal fusion surgery in 2022 after being drafted and missed part of his rookie season.”
Because the Texans claimed him off waivers, Clark is still on the final year of his four-year, $3.9 million rookie-scale contract and will be a free agent after the season.
Texans Waive Ex-Jaguar Following Eye-Catching Video
GettyMatthew Wright #41 of the Washington Commanders warms up before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
To make room for Clark, the Texans waived kicker Matthew Wright. Wright had filled in over the past two games, as typical kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn recovered from a leg injury. Wright had drawn strong praise from Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans for stepping in and up.
It was Wright who hit the game-winner against the Tennessee Titans in Week 11.
“It was huge for Matt to step in and make that kick for us,” Ryans told reporters on November 16. “He’s been great for us since he’s been here the past two weeks. We needed it most to close the game out. He did a outstanding job. You know, can’t give credit to him without [Alex] Brinkman and Tommy [Townend] doing a great job with the snap, with the hold. The protection, everybody. All 11 guys, working together, and Matt kicking it through to get us a victory.”
It is good news for the Texans that Fairbairn is back, but his return led to a foreboding video that featured Wright off to the side while K1 worked on field goals in practice.
Perhaps the Texans will find a way to keep Wright around on their practice squad.
Texans Take Precautions Before Reunion With Former Raiders CB Damon Arnette
GettyDamon Arnette #41 of the Houston Texans celebrates after a missed field goal against the Carolina Panthers.
Wilson reported in another post on X on November 19 that the Texans “hosted Damon Arnette Jr. for a visit in advance of pending practice squad deal.” However, there was no explanation was provided for the seemingly additional measure.
“The Texans recently waived Arnette from the 53-man roster,” Wilson wrote, following up on his report on X. “Now, he rejoins the Texans.”
Arnette, 29, has logged 2 tackles in his two games with the Texans this season.
Arnette, a first-round pick by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020, was also primarily a special teamer, logging 2 snaps on defense compared to 44 in the third phase.
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