The Houston Texans did not pull the trigger on any trades at the deadline, but they did shuffle their roster a big, most recently signing Matthew Wright following a workout, per KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson on November 3.
Wright, a kicker, is in his sixth NFL season, and the Texans are his eighth organization.
Unfortunately for the Texans, their collective hand was forced into bringing Wright in on what was a busy day around the NFL.
Texans Sign Journeyman K Matthew Wright
GettyMatthew Wright #41 of the Washington Commanders warms up before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Before joining the Texans, Wright had stints with the Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs – where he won a Super Bowl in 2022 – Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans, and Washington Commanders.
The Texans are Wright’s third team this season, after he had stints with the Titans and then the Commanders to begin the campaign.
This was after he spent the offseason and preseason with the Panthers.
Last season, Wright was with (in order) the Steelers, 49ers, Chiefs, and Titans, underscoring his journeyman status. It also speaks to what kind of player he has been. Wright, 29, is 1-for-1 on field goal attempts this season and 2-for-2 on extra point tries.
He has kicked in two games this season, one each for the Commanders and Titans, with a long of 46 yards (TEN).
Wright was 15-for-16 on FGs in 2024, too.
However, he connected on 83.7% of his field goals across the 2021, 2022, and 2023 seasons, which was the seventh-lowest mark of any kicker with at least 40 attempts during that timeframe, per Stathead.
Texans Face Uncertainty With Ka’imi Fairbairn
GettyKa’imi Fairbairn #15 of the Houston Texans prepares to kick a field goal against the Tennessee Titans.
Wilson noted that the Texans signed Wright as a “precautionary measure,” amid uncertainty around incumbent kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn.
“#Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn, who hit five field goals Sunday, status is still being determined for #Jaguars game, per source,” Wilson reported in a post on X on November 4. “Working through lower body injury and receiving treatment.”
In a follow-up report, Wilson noted Fairbairn was unavailable to the media “Sunday or Monday.”
Fairbairn, 31, is 22-for-25 on FGs this season, and he has connected on all 12 of his point-after attempts.
He connected on 85.7% of his kicks in 2024, so he is having a bounce-back campaign. Perhaps as notable, Fairbairn is signed through 2026 on a three-year, $15.5 million contract, underscoring Wright’s in-case-of-emergency status.
Texans Navigating Significant Injury Concerns
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans warms up before facing the Denver Broncos.
Fairbairn is one of many injury concerns the Texans face entering Week 10 at home against the Jaguars.
“Among injured #Texans heading into Wednesday practice for banged-up team after physical game against #Broncos: C.J. Stroud, Tytus Howard (concussions), Darrell Taylor (ankle), Christian Harris (shin), Ka’imi Fairbairn (leg),” Wilson posted on November 4. “Ed Ingram injured knee, but went back in game.
“Woody Marks said back checked out fine and he went back in game.”
Stroud’s status is the most pressing. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said the QB was improving on Monday, but he must overcome several hurdles before gaining clearance for Week 10 against the Jaguars, who acquired WR Jakobi Meyers at the deadline.
The Texans have a full week of practice sessions for their walking wounded to improve, which could make Wright’s addition and concern over Stroud moot.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Texans Add Veteran Super Bowl Champion After Trade Deadline appeared first on Heavy Sports.