The Houston Texans are heading into their first divisional game of the season in Week 3 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and they have decided to keep fullback Jakob Johnson as part of their plans for the foreseeable future, announcing the move on September 20.
Johnson can also play tight end, which has become a position of need for the Texans.
The news comes on as the Texans only ruled out one player, rookie cornerback Jaylin Smith, for Week 3 (and longer) while clearing a host of others, including safety Jalen Pitre.
Texans FB Jakob Johnson Signed to 53-Man Roster
GettyJakob Johnson #45 of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on against the Chicago Bears.
Johnson, whose nickname is the “German Tank,” has played in both of the Texans’ first two games, and he started their Week 2 “Monday Night Football” tilt against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He blocked a punt in that contest, setting up a field goal for the Texans.
However, Johnson reverted to the Texans’ practice squad earlier in the week.
Rather than use Johnson’s final elevation in Week 3 and then sign him to the active roster in Week 4, the Texans skipped the middle man.
The Texans added another true tight end, Brenden Bates, this week after only having Dalton Schultz and Harrison Bryant available with Johnson in support in Week 2 against the Buccaneers on “MNF.”
Texans Place Rookie CB Jaylin Smith on IR, Shuffle Secondary
GettyJaylin Smith #30 of the Houston Texans warms up before facing the Carolina Panthers.
The Texans cleared cornerback Kamari Lassiter, wide receivers Braxton Berrios and Christian Kirk, and center Jake Andrews, all starters, to play against the Jaguars. However, they ruled rookie third-round cornerback Jaylin Smith, leading to some shuffling.
He will also go on injured reserve, per the Texans.
Smith must miss the next four games, which takes him into the Texans’ Week 8 against the San Francisco 49ers, and his going on IR opened up a roster spot for Johnson.
“#Texans … elevate defensive backs D’Angelo Ross, Myles Bryant from practice squad with Jaylin Smith out with a hamstring injury,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported in a post on X on September 20.
Ross was a valued part of the Texans’ special teams, in addition to his rotational role on defense. Improved depth at corner, Berrios, and rookie Jaylin Noel worked against Ross.
Bryant has ample experience at corner, but was mostly a special teamer last season.
The Texans also cleared reserve defensive end Darrell Taylor, adding more teeth to their pass rush before taking on Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars. Notably, Lawrence has been sacked once this season, giving him the league’s best sack rate, per Pro Football Reference.
Jaguars Clear 1 Starter, Await Final Word on Another
GettyBrian Thomas Jr. #7 of the Jacksonville Jaguars reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers.
The Jaguars’ injury report also featured several noteworthy names, most of which were cleared to face the Texans, including starting wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. and rookie fourth-round running back Bhayshul Tuten.
However, they are also awaiting a final decision on starting left guard Ezra Cleveland.
Cleveland’s absence could boost the Texans’ pass rush against the Jaguars against Lawrence, who has the seventh-highest interception rate entering Sunday’s slate of games.
This matchup is key for the Texans, who are still finding their way offensively while looking to avoid their first 0-3 start since 2020. They are already looking up at the Jaguars and the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC South.
The Texans swept the Jaguars last season.
Moreover, the Texans are 12-2 against the Jaguars since 2018, the last time they lost two games in a row to their AFC South rival.
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