The Houston Texans have signed defensive end Chris Braswell to their practice squad. Braswell, who was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after two seasons, was a highly regarded five-star recruit in high school. He played at Alabama, where he achieved eight sacks and ten tackles for loss while stepping in as the Jack linebacker following Will Anderson Jr.'s departure.
His performance ranked second on the team, only behind Dallas Turner, who was the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Braswell's NFL career has been challenging; he was drafted in the second round by Tampa Bay but struggled to secure a starting role, managing only two and a half sacks across his two seasons. His release came after he missed parts of the preseason and was surpassed by teammates in performance.
Now in Houston, he reunites with former Alabama teammates Will Anderson Jr. and Logan Hall.
In light of the Texans' current injury challenges at the defensive end position, Braswell's role may expand beyond the practice squad. His transition to Houston's 4-3 defensive scheme will require adjustments, focusing on edge-setting and pass rushing. The Texans see this signing as a strategic enhancement to their defensive depth, positioning Braswell as a backup behind Dominique Robinson, Sebastian Harsh, and Jadeveon Clowney.