The Houston Texans have officially signed Chris Braswell, a former second-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, to their practice squad. This move comes as the Texans look to bolster their defensive depth, especially with injuries impacting their edge players ahead of Week 1.
Braswell was selected 57th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft after a notable college career at the University of Alabama. During his two seasons with Tampa Bay, he participated in 34 games, accumulating 48 tackles and 2.5 sacks, but he did not secure a starting position.
His performance did not meet the expectations typically associated with a second-round pick, which is why he was waived by the Buccaneers on August 30, 2026.
Despite his lack of production in the NFL, Braswell showed significant promise during his final season at Alabama, where he recorded eight sacks and ten tackles for loss.
The Texans are not expecting him to be an every-down starter; instead, they aim to develop his skills in a supportive environment, allowing established players like Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter to handle the more complex responsibilities on game days.
Braswell's familiarity with Anderson, his former teammate at Alabama, may ease his transition into the Texans' defensive scheme. Additionally, he reunites with Logan Hall, a former Buccaneers lineman who joined Houston earlier this offseason. This connection could help Braswell adjust to the new system and terminology.
