The Houston Texans made a significant decision, signing former Las Vegas Raiders first-round draft pick and cornerback Damon Arnette to their 53-man roster.
It is a tremendous step for a player whose career went awry due to off-field issues, some of which were only settled in the past calendar year. The former top prospect had been out of the league since the end of the 2021 season before signing with the Texans.
Now, his redemption story adds another chapter.
Former Raiders CB Damon Arnette Signs to Texans’ Roster
GettyDamon Arnette #41 of the Houston Texans celebrates after a missed field goal against the Carolina Panthers.
The Raiders selected Arnette with the No. 19 overall pick of the 2020 draft. He spent less than two full seasons with the organization before they waived him. Arnette had a brief stint with the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2021 campaign, but they released him in January 2022.
Arnette, who turned 29 in September, has appeared in one game for the Texans this season, logging 2 total tackles for head coach DeMeco Ryans and defensive coordinator Matt Burke.
He has also shown encouraging progress as he rebuilds his reputation around the NFL.
“Damon Arnette signed to #Texans 53, per agents Ray Haija, Adie von Gontard, and Steve Weinberg,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported on X on November 7. “From being out of #NFL to resurrecting career, former #Raiders first-round pick continues to grow.”
For his career, Arnette has 31 total tackles and 3 pass deflections. His modest production belies his draft status and underscores how long he was out of the league altogether.
Moreover, the Texans cut a player they were high on, Alijah Huzzie, before adding Arnette.
Wilson wrote in a follow-up report that “Arnette had hit rock bottom between that time as a Las Vegas Raiders’ first-round draft pick from Ohio State who experienced multiple legal and personal issues that derailed his career.
“The Texans gave Arnette a second chance after he relaunched his career with the Houston Roughnecks, signing him after a successful tryout.”
Damon Arnette Embracing Opportunity
GettyDamon Arnette #41 of the Houston Texans intercepts a pass intended for Jacolby George #80 of the Carolina Panthers.
Arnette also showed great appreciation for his opportunity with the Texans. He initially inked a one-year, $1 million deal with the team.
He signed back to the practice squad on a deal worth less than $250,000.
“It feels great to be proving right the people who helped me on this journey,” Arnette told Wilson after the Texans’ win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 5. “I hit up Darryl Johnston this morning, and just thanked him again. Just trying to continue to stay in a state of gratitude.”
Johnston, an executive with the UFL, stumped for Arnette this past summer, lauding the personal growth he had shown.
“I put a lot of effort into just making sure that Damon was in the right spot mentally, had put his past behind him,” Johnston told Wilson in June. “We’re very proud of what he’s done with this opportunity. He’s still got a long way to go. I talked to Damon the day he signed with the Texans and said, ‘Hey, congratulations, that’s great stuff. I know it’s been a long journey, but you are just at the beginning. You’ve got so much work to do.’ And so I’m gonna be on him all the way through training camp, making sure that he’s got a friendly voice talking to him.”
Johnston cited Arnette’s remorse and said they felt he deserved another opportunity.
Arnette parlayed that into a tryout with the Texans. Now, he has a spot on their 53-man roster. Huzzie is back on the practice squad. Fellow corner Jaylin Smith is on injured reserve. Nickelback Jalen Pitre is in concussion protocol. Arnette could see the field plenty in Week 10.
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