Texans Daily

BREAKING: Patriots Trade QB Mac Jones to Texans' AFC South Rival - NFL Tracker

The New England Patriots have traded Mac Jones to the AFC South after three seasons as the team's starting quarterback.

Matt Galatzan

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MARCH 10 JAGS TRADE FOR JONES The Jacksonville Jaguars have agreed to a trade with the New England Patriots that landed them quarterback Mac Jones, a former first-round pick from the 2021 NFL Draft (No. 15 overall). Jones will now serve as the backup quarterback to Trevor Lawrence. 

Jones played three seasons as the Patriots starting quarterback, completing 66.1 percent of his passes for 8,918 yards and 46 touchdowns. He went 18-24 as the Patriots starter. 

New England landed a sixth-round pick in exchange for Jones; ESPN was the first to report.

MARCH 9 JONES SIGNS The Houston Texans are gearing up for a potentially massive free agency period in the coming days, with over $60 million in cap space at their disposal. 

One of the areas in which they were going to attempt add some talent was along the defensive front. 

But now, one of their biggest potential targets if off the market, with Kansas City Chiefs star Chris Jones signing a massive five-year $95 million deal to remain with the Super Bowl champions. 

According to the report from ESPN's Adam Schefter, the deal is expected to give the highest average salary per year ever to an NFL defensive tackle. 

Chris Jones
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

FEB 14 OMENIHU SPEAKS Tragedy struck on Wednesday afternoon when alleged gunmen opened fire during the Chiefs Super Bowl parade in Kansas City.

Following the shooting, one person has been confirmed dead with three others in critical condition. 

Five other victims are also in serious condition, with an estimated total of 10-15 total injuries in the incident. Two suspects have been arrested and are in custody.

Following the shooting, former Houston Texan and current Chiefs defensive end Charles Omeninhu shared his thoughts and prayers with the victims and spoke out about American gun laws.

"Prayers for those affected at today’s parade," Omenihu said on X. "A time of celebration ends in tragedy. When are we going to fix these gun laws? How many more people have to die to say enough is enough? It’s too easy for the wrong people to obtain guns in America and that’s a FACT."

Omenihu played for the Texans from 2019-2021, before being traded to the 49ers in the 2021 season. 

In March of 2023, Omenihu signed a two-year deal with the Chiefs. 

FEB 11 CHIEFS CHAMPS The Kansas City Chiefs are Super Bowl LVIII Champions, thanks in large part to the efforts of superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes. 

After four quarters of play weren't enough, the biggest game of the year was decided on overtime, with Mahomes leading a game-winning drive that was capped off by a touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman, sealing the win. 

Mahomes ended the game completing 34 of 46 passes for 333 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner. 

The win now gives the Chiefs back-to-back Super Bowl wins, and Mahomes the third ring of his career. 

JAN 20 PERRYMAN INJURED Not long after the loss of Steven Nelson - who is currently being evaluated for a concussion - the Houston Texans may have lost another key player on their defense vs. the Baltimore Ravens. 

Early in the fourth quarter, linebacker Denzel Perryman went down in pain after attempting to make a tackle on Lamar Jackson. 

Perryman was down for a few moments before being taken to the sideline to be attended to by the team's medical staff.

Heading into the playoffs, Perryman was fourth on the team in tackles with 76.

We will update Perryman's status as more information becomes available.

JAN 15 TEXANS UNDERDOGS The Houston Texans are officially set to face the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday afternoon in the AFC Divisional round of the NFL Playoffs. 

And with the matchup now confirmed, the initial betting odds have been released, with the Texans sitting as 9.5-point underdogs to the home Ravens.

This will be the second time the Texans have made the trip to Baltimore to take on Lamar Jackson and Co., dropping their previous tilt 25-9 in Week 1 of the regular season. 

The Texans, however, are a much different team than they were in September, and are one of the hottest teams in the NFL.

JAN 13 TEXANS IN CONTROL The Houston Texans are in firm control vs. the Cleveland Browns in the Saturday Wild Card matchup at NRG Stadium. 

After taking a late two-score lead in the first half of play, the Texans have thrown a haymaker in the third quarter, with cornerback Steven Nelson intercepting a Joe Flacco pass and taking 82 yards back for a touchdown. 

The score put the Texans up three scores at 31-14 with 6:05 to go in the third quarter. The interception was Nelson's fifth of the season and 14th of his nine-year career.

However, the Texans' defense wasn't done there just yet. 

On the very next drive, it was Christian Harris' turn to get into the endzone, intercepting Flacco, and taking it back for a touchdown of his own. 

It was the second interception and the first defensive touchdown in Harris' two-year career.

JAN 11 GREENARD RETURNS Defensive end Jonathan Greenard returned to practice Thursday morning at the Houston Methodist Training Center. A Grade 1 ankle sprain sidelined Greenard for the final two games of the regular season. He sustained the injury during the Texans' Week 16 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Across 15 games, Greenard led the team in sacks with a career-best 12.5.

JAN 9 VRABEL FIRED Another NFL head coach has been fired after a poor season, this time in the Texans' own division. 

On Tuesday, the Tennessee Titans fired head coach Mike Vrabel after going 6-11 and losing four of his last six games at the helm. Vrabell spent six years as the Titans coach. 

During his time in Tennessee, Vrabel went 54-45, winning two-straight division titles in 2020 and 2021, going 11-5 and 12-5 in those seasons respectively. He also took the Titans to the playoffs in three straight seasons. 

However, in 2022 and 2023, the Texans took a major step back, going 7-10 and 6-11 in those two seasons, and missing the playoffs in both. 

The firing of Vrabel will also likely result in the Titans taking a look at and perhaps requesting an interview of Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, who is one of the hottest young coaching candidates in the NFL.

Slowik has already been requested for interviews by multiple teams, including the Commanders and Panthers. 

JAN 6 HUGHES TO TENT Houston Texans defensive end Jerry Hughes departed Saturday's game against the Indianapolis Colts midway through the third quarter with an apparent lower-body injury.

Hughes' injury comes during a 14-14 tie in a win-or-go-home game between Houston and Indy, and he was playing in place of the already-injured Jonathan Greenard here in Week 18.

DEC 31 LEVIS INJURED After batting injuries since his last matchup vs. the Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans QB Will Levis has been hurt once again, this time at NRG Stadium. 

Levis was carted to the locker room with an apparent foot injury and will not return. Levis missed last week's loss to the Seattle Seahawks with an ankle injury.

The injury occurred on the Jerry Hughes strip-sack of Levis that led to a Sheldon Rankins touchdown.

Ryan Tannehill, who started last week vs. the Seahawks in place of Levis, has replaced the rookie in the lineup.

Last week vs. Seattle, Tannehill threw for just completed 18 of 26 passes for 152 yards and had two carries for 37 yards. 

DEC 27 WARD TO IR The Houston Texans have taken a major blow to their secondary ahead of their final stretch of the regular season. 

According to an announcement from the team, veteran safety Jimmie Ward has been placed on injured reserve, leaving a major hole in the team's pass defense. 

The Texans got ahead of this move earlier on Wednesday by claiming former first-round pick Kareem Jackson off of waivers from the Denver Broncos. But at 35 years old, Jackson may not be enough to fill the void left by Ward on the field.

Ward had been battling injuries throughout the latter half of the season and will finish his first year in Houston with 50 tackles and an interception. 

DEC 14 THOMAS TO IR The Houston Texans have lost yet another key defensive back to injury for an extended period. 

This time, it is cornerback Tavierre Thomas, who was moved to injured reserve on Sunday morning with a hamstring injury.

Thomas suffered the injury vs. in the team's 30-6 loss to the New York Jets last week, and was originally expected to miss 1-2 weeks. However, the injury proved to be more troublesome than originally expected, resulting in the IR designation. 

The loss of Thomas leaves the Texans, who were already shorthanded on Sunday, with a potentially big hole in their secondary for their playoff push down the stretch. 

Thomas has been a key part of the Texans revamped defense this season, making 30 tackles with two forced fumbles. 

DEC 13 LEVIS LIMITED Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud is unlikely to play on Sunday vs. the Titans, after suffering a concussion vs. the Jets in Week 14. 

And now, it appears as if Titans rookie QB Will Levis, will not be 100 percent when Houston heads to Nashville either. 

Per the Titans Wednesday injury report, Levis was listed as a 'limited' participant in practice with an ankle injury. 

With that said, also carried the same designation last Wednesday, before being a full participant for the remainder of the week. 

Levis went on to have a fantastic game against the Dolphins on Sunday, leading the Titans on an unlikely comeback from two scores down to upset Miami 28-27.

DEC 10 STROUD INJURED Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud left the game with an injury in the fourth quarter against the New York Jets after a hard hit and his head hitting the turf in New Jersey.

And after the game - a disappointing 30-6 loss for the playoff-hopeful Texans - coach DeMeco Ryans announced that Stroud will enter the concussion protocol and spend the week in evaluation.

At one point, Stroud was able to sit up and walk off the field on his own, and he headed to the injury tent on the sideline. ... all after he banged his head in a scary manner.

After being evaluated in the injury tent, Stroud left the field and went to the locker room.

Stroud has been outstanding for the Texans in 2023 and is a top contender for the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. As the Texans drop to 7-6, his health is a critical issue for the team's chase for the postseason.

DEC 10 COLLINS, CASHMAN RULED OUT After sustaining injuries against the New York Jets on Sunday, Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (calf) and linebacker Blake Cashman (hamstring) have been ruled out for the remainder of the game.

DEC 10 COLLINS OUT? The Houston Texans might have lost another key playmaker on their offense. 

In the first half of their Sunday matchup vs. the New York Jets, wide receiver Nico Collins was forced to exit the game with what appeared to be a lower-body injury. 

Collins eventually made his way to the medical tent for further evaluation, where it was determined that he had sustained a calf injury. 

He has now been designated as questionable to return. 

DEC 7 BATTERED AND BRUISED? The Houston Texans are coming off of a hard-fought win over the Denver Broncos on Sunday. 

And if the Wednesday injury report is any indication, that win has taken a bit of a physical toll on the players, with multiple key players being held out of the day's practice. 

Listed as DNPs for the Texans were George Fant, Neville Hewitt, Laremy Tunsil, Jimmie Ward, and Robert Woods. 

However, there were also several Texans who were listed as 'limited' well, including Dalton Schultz, Sheldon Rankins, Noah Broan, and Will Anderson Jr. 

With that said, if the previous week is any indication, Wednesday seems to be a lighter day for some veterans, with many of those same players holding DNP or limited designations last week, before going on to be full participants the next day, including Tunsil, Ward and Fant.

DEC 4 DELL DONE According to Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans, Houston rookie sensation wide receiver Tank Dell had season-ending surgery on his ankle on Monday. 

Dell fractured his fibula in the first quarter while attempting to block in a goal-line situation in the Texans' narrow win over the Denver Broncos on Sunday. 

Arguably on of the top rookie receiver in the NFL, Dell has made 47 catches for 709 yards and seven touchdowns this season.

Dell was second to only Rams star Puka Nacua in receiving yards for rookie in 2023 and was averaging 64.5 yards per game as C.J. Stroud's favorite target.

DEC 3 DELL HURT The Houston Texans may have suffered a devastating loss on Sunday afternoon, with rookie star wide receiver Tank Dell being carted to the locker room after what appears to be a lower-body injury.

The injury occurred with Dell attempting to block for Dameon Pierce on a touchdown run. 

Dell has been a star for the Texans this season, with 709 yards and seven touchdowns on 47 catches. 

DEC 1 DELL QUESTIONABLE FOR WEEK 13 The Texans announced Friday afternoon that rookie wide receiver Tank Dell is questionable for Sunday's Week 13 contest against the Denver Broncos. Dell missed Wednesday's practice due to a calf injury but was limited on Thursday and Friday. In 10 games, Dell has caught 47 passes for 709 yards and seven touchdowns.

In addition to Dell, the Texans have ruled out tight end Dalton Schultz due to a hamstring injury.

NOV 27 AMMENDOLA WAIVED The Houston Texans claimed veteran pass rusher Derek Barnett off of waivers on Monday, adding a potentially valuable piece to their defensive line. 

However, in order to make that move, the Texans had to create room on their roster. In doing so, the Texans have reportedly waived kicker Matt Ammendola. 

Ammendola missed a potentially game-tying field goal against the Jaguars on Sunday, sending the Texans to a disappointing loss. 

Without Ammendola on the roster, the Texans do not have a kicker - at least currently - for their Sunday matchup against the Denver Broncos.

And with Kai'mi Fairbairn still on IR for at least another two weeks, the Texans are likely to re-sign Ammendola to the practice squad, and simply elevate him before Sunday.

NOV 26 HOWARD DOWN The Houston Texans may have suffered yet another significant loss along the offensive line. 

This time, that loss comes in the form of left guard Tytus Howard, who was knocked out of the game with what appeared to be a left knee injury in the first quarter.

Howard was able to walk off of the field under his own power but was walking with a significant limp.

Howard was then carted to the Texans locker room by the medical staff for further evaluation.

Howard missed the beginning of the season after being placed on injured reserve due to a broken hand he suffered in training camp.

NOV 22 HORTON STEPS AWAY Texans rookie Dylan Horton announced on social media that he will be stepping away from the team due to a personal health matter. He was one of several non-participants during practice at the Houston Methodist Training Center on Wednesday morning.

A 2023 fourth-round pick (No. 109 overall), Horton has appeared in 10 games for the Texans, where he recorded 13 tackles and a pair of quarterback hits.

NOV 19 TANK DELL, OH MY With less than a minute left in the first half of Sunday's game between the Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals, rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud felt pressure from the opposing defense.

His response? Well, Tank Dell is downfield somewhere, so let's throw it up and give him a chance. Dell made the most of the opportunity, hauling in a crazy reception to extend Houston's lead to 21-10.

You can view the play below.

The touchdown pass marks Stroud's second of the day, and he also has an interception on his docket. You can follow along with live updates from the game here.

NOV 15 WATSON OUT Former Houston Texans and current Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson will miss the remainder of the season with an injury, his team announced Wednesday.

Watson underwent an MRI on Monday that revealed two separate injuries, including a fracture in his throwing shoulder.

“Deshaun Watson underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Monday on two injuries sustained on different plays in the first half of Sunday's 33-31 win over the Baltimore Ravens, the Browns said in a statement. “Imaging on his left ankle revealed a high-ankle sprain. In addition, postgame, Deshaun notified our medical staff of a new discomfort in his right shoulder that he felt after a hit in the first half.”

“An MRI of his right shoulder revealed a displaced fracture to the glenoid. Despite performing at a high level and finishing the game, after consultation with Browns' Head Physician, James Voos, MD, and industry-leading shoulder specialist, Neal ElAttrache, MD, it has been determined that this injury will require immediate surgical repair to avoid further structural damage. Deshaun will be placed on season-ending injured reserve and a full recovery is expected for the start of the 2024 season.”

The former Texan will be replaced by P.J. Walker, who has already started three game’s in Watson’s absence this season.

NOV 12 AMMENDOLA COMES THROUGH The Houston Texans signed kicked Matt Ammendola to replace the injured Ka'imi Fairbairn, who was added to injured reserve late in the week.

And on Sunday, that signing immediately paid its dividends, with Ammedola hitting the game-winning field goal as time expired to send Houston over .500 for the first time since 2019.

Ammendola ended the day 3-for-3 in field goals and hit all three of his extra points in the win.

NOV 8 CJ TOP 10 Houston Texans rookie CJ Stroud is off to an undeniably wonderful start, so far capped by his remarkable work in the Week 9 win over Tampa Bay in which he threw for a rookie-record 470 yards and five TDs. 

So ... does this put him "among the ranks of the top 10 quarterbacks in the NFL''?

That is the assertion from our friends at Clutchpoints, and while it is an exciting notion, we wonder if we should tap the brakes a bit.

Oh, and while we're at it, we will do the same with the Yahoo Sports assertion that Stroud is "in the conversation'' for NFL MVP.

Through the first nine weeks of the season, Stroud has completed 62 percent of his passes for 2,270 yards, 14 touchdowns, and one interception. He has also rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown. And his team is 4-4 ... a far cry from predictions that Houston would again be in the NFL basement.

But "top 10''? We don't bother with that one because we find those lists to be so subjective, malleable and even arbitrary.

And "MVP candidate''? That doesn't go to rookies. Nor does it go to non-playoff teams' standouts.

Stroud can't change that first fact. Now, if the Texans make the playoffs? Maybe he'll get at least a sliver of well-deserved attention regarding that second fact.

For now? How about "landslide winner of Rookie of the Year''? Will that suffice?

AUGUST 29 The Houston Texans announced more cuts ahead of Tuesday's 3 p.m. CT deadline, headlined by defensive end Chase Winovich, according to KPRC's Aaron Wilson.

Other releases by the Texans are rookie wide receiver Jared Wayne and defensive end Ali Gaye with intentions to sign them to the practice squad if they clear waivers, according to Wilson.

Houston has also released running back Larry Rountree III, wide receivers Steven Sims Jr. and Jalen Camp, cornerback D'Angelo Ross, tight end Eric Tomlinson and defensive tackles Thomas Booker, Byron Cowart and Khalil Davis.

AUGUST 29 The first of many more cuts on deadline day has been made.

The Houston Texans are releasing cornerback Jacobi Francis, who signed with the team as an undrafted free agent in 2022, according to KPRC's Aaron Wilson. Last season, Francis was moved between the active and practice squad rosters three separate times before being on Houston's active roster for the final four games of the season.

Despite being on the active roster for seven games, Francis only saw the field in five in which he recorded one tackle.

The move comes on the heels of the Texans releasing 2018 First Team All-Pro cornerback Desmond King II Monday.

AUGUST 28 Not long after parting ways with former captain Christian Kirksey on Monday, the Texans made another surprising cut to their final roster, releasing former First-Team All-Pro corner, Desmond King. 

King came to the Texans in 2021 following a stint with the Titans. Before that, King spent three years with the Los Angeles Chargers, where he had his most productive stretch as a pro.

In two seasons with the Texans, King played in 33 games, starting 25, and accumulated 182 tackles, 14 passes defended and five interceptions. 

AUGUST 28 The Houston Texans waived five players ahead of Tuesday's final 53-man cutdown 3 p.m. CT deadline.

Linebacker Christian Kirksey headline the trio Monday, getting waived, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. Kirksey, who was a Texans captain last season, was third on Houston's defense with 124 tackles last season. Kirksey also had seven tackles for loss, and hit the quarterback seven times with three sacks and two interceptions while starting all 17 games.

Kirksey was named a Walter Payton Man of the Year honoree in 2022.

Offensive tackle Rashaad Coward and offensive lineman Tyler Beach were also released Monday, according to KPRC's Aaron Wilson.

Coward was signed by the Texans on Aug. 8 after spending five seasons — three with the Chicago Bears and one each with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals, respectively.

Beach was an undrafted free agent signing out of Wisconsin.

Houston also waived defensive back Darius Joiner and tight end Mason Schreck, according to Wilson.

Schreck had two catches for 17 yards against the New England Patriots in the Texans' preseason opener. In three games with Houston in 2022, he started one and caught two passes for six yards.

Joiner was signed Wednesday and the Duke Blue Devils' rookie recorded one tackle against the New Orleans Saints Sunday.

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Matt Galatzan
MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan the Editor-In-Chief of TexansDaily.com. Galatzan graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry under Mike Fisher at DallasBasketball.com in 2014, which at the time was part of the 247Sports network. He also spent two years covering the SMU Mustangs for PonyStampede.com on the 247Sports network. When DallasBasketball.com and CowboysCountry.com moved over to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, Galatzan followed suit, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of LonghornsCountry.com and AllAggies.com a year later. Through the years, Galatzan has conducted a handful of high-profile one-on-one interviews to add to his resume — in both writing and podcasting. Some of his biggest interviews have been with Mavs owner Mark Cuban, former Longhorns players Dan Neil and Phil Dawson, and many other recruits, and current/former players for each of the teams he has covered. Galatzan is also a full-time employee in the digital media department for Audacy and KRLD FM's 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, which is the official radio home of the Dallas Cowboys. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels. For any inquiries, please email matt.galatzan@gmail.com