Mandatory Credit: Photo by Trask Smith/CSM/Shutterstock (13436021bu) Houston Texans linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill (51) during the 4th quarter of an NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. The Chargers won the game 34 to 24 NFL Chargers vs Texans, USA – 02 Oct 2022
Texans release Kamu Grugier-Hill
Grugier-Hill has primarily been a starter for Houston but recently lost playing time to Christian Harris.
In a bit of a surprising move, the Houston Texans announced Thursday they have released LB Kamu Grugier-Hill.
Grugier-Hill, 28, has primarily been a starter since arriving in Houston. His 108 tackles last season led the team. This season, Grugier-Hill recorded 40 tackles through six games.
The emergence of rookie LB Christian Harris clearly played a big part in the decision. Harris played 68% of the defensive snaps in Week 7 versus Las Vegas and was most often on the field when the Texans went to defensive sub-packages that required only two linebackers on the field. That second linebacker had previously been Grugier-Hill.
The Texans also announced the signed free agent DL Jaleel Johnson to the active roster.
Johnson, 28, is a 6-3 316-pound defensive tackle who can hopefully provide some sturdiness against the run. The Texans are dead last defensively against the run, allowing 164.7 YPG.
The team also signed rookie wide receiver Michael Young to the practice squad. Young, 23, played collegiately at Cincinnati. He was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Indianapolis Colts but released on August 16th. Young had 28 catches for 353 yards and two scores during his senior season at Cincinnati in 2021.
Houston also played WR Drew Estrada on the practice squad/injured list. The 25-year-old rookie from Baylor had 30 receptions for 367 yards and one touchdown in his senior season in 2021.