The Houston Texans were forced to shuffle their roster amid myriad issues, including at their usually deep cornerback position. In what has been a back-and-forth situation, the Texans signed cornerback Alijah Huzzie to their practice squad.
The move comes amid yet another injury, and with the secondary already banged up.
Huzzie’s path has been eventful, but he could see relatively significant playing time, given the Texans’ current situation.
Alijah Huzzie Returns to Texans After Brief Exit
Michael Hickey/Getty ImagesFormer North Carolina Tar Heels cornerback Alijah Huzzie DB#16 speaks with reporters at the 2025 NFL Combine.
KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson first reported that the Texans were bringing Huzzie back on Monday, before their Week 11 tilt against the Tennessee Titans. Huzzie’s return comes less than one week after the Texans activated him from the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list and later released him.
KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson noted that Huzzie was a “standout” in college at North Carolina.
“Huzzie represents a value addition for the future because he had fourth-round grades from multiple NFL teams, per sources,” Wilson wrote on November 10. “He was graded as one of the top five nickels in the draft by several teams and draft publications. He has positional versatility because can play inside and outside, return punts and cover kicks.”
The Texans have not needed to call on Huzzie yet this season, but that could change following their latest loss on the backend.
Texans’ Injuries Forcing Roster Moves
GettyM.J. Stewart #29 of the Houston Texans reacts against the Dallas Cowboys.
The Texans lost safety M.J. Stewart to a season-ending quad injury in Week 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
That forced them to shift Myles Bryant from nickelback to safety, a role he may reprise.
Bryant was filling in for Jalen Pitre (concussion) at nickel, and Huzzie could assume that backup role, depending on what the Texans do at safety. The secondary is also missing veteran safety Jimmie Ward and rookie corner Jaylin Smith, who is out for the season.
The Texans signed Damon Arnette to their 53-man roster before facing the Jaguars, and they still have Super Bowl champion Tremon Smith behind Derek Stingley and Kamari Lassiter.
Huzzie could need multiple injuries to occur before he has a clear path to playing time.
However, the Texans have shown a willingness to turn to their younger players. That is particularly true with strong results coming from the 2025 rookie class. Moreover, Huzzie was viewed as a versatile contributor coming out of college.
Alijah Huzzie Draft Profile Telling
GettyAlijah Huzzie #28 of the North Carolina Tar Heels tackles Chance Peterson #14 of the North Carolina Central Eagles.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein projected Huzzie as a sixth or seventh-round draft pick this year. That still makes Huzzie a bargain for the Texans.
“Sixth-year senior coming off the strongest season of his career. Huzzie is short-armed with a compact build and plenty of play strength. He plays with good flow in his pedal and has the stop-start quickness to stay near the route. He uses his hands to help maintain feel for the release and route breaks, but he needs to dial it back or he’ll face penalties,” Zierlein wrote before the draft.
“His body control and athleticism are strengths, but his vertical speed appears limited. He lacks ideal measurables but is tough, athletic and experienced on special teams, which gives him a chance to find a roster spot as a backup nickelback.”
That review of Huzzie is encouraging, with the Texans forced to shift their nickel back plans.
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