Houston Texans: Suddenly Placed a Former 3rd Overall Pick On Injured Reserve

The Houston Texans signed Jeff Okudah to a one-year, $4.75 million contract worth up to $6 million. Okudah, a third overall pick from the Detroit Lions in the 2020 NFL Draft, is a talented cornerback but has struggled to stay healthy in each of his first four seasons in the NFL. He has missed 29 out of 67 possible regular season games, including seven with a shoulder and a groin injury in 2020, 16 with an Achilles injury in 2021, two with a concussion in 2022, and four with an ankle injury in 2023.

Okudah spent the offseason competing against rookie second-round pick Kamari Lassiter for the starting outside cornerback position alongside Derek Stingley Jr. Lassiter won the starting job, and Okudah made the 53-man roster as the backup. He has been dealing with a hip injury since training camp.

The Houston Texans cornerback aggravated his hip injury in Week 1

Jeff Okudah played zero defensive snaps and five (20%) special teams snaps and didn’t register a statistic in their season opener. Okudah aggravated his hip injury and went into the medical tent for further examination. He did not return to the game, and the Texans downgraded him to out.

Jeff Okudah will miss at least the next four games

According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Houston Texans placed Okudah on injured reserve and signed Desmond King and Troy Pride Jr. to the practice squad. Okudah will miss at least the next four games. King is in his eighth year with 56 starts (28) in 105 games (40 with the Texans). Pride is in his fifth year with eight starts in 15 games.

The #Texans placed CB Jeff Okudah on injured reserve and signed veteran CBs Desmond King and Troy Pride to the practice squad.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 11, 2024

A look at the Houston Texans backup cornerbacks

The Texans are thin at cornerback and have two backups on their 53-man roster, including Kris Boyd and Myles Bryant. Boyd is in his sixth year with six starts in 65 games. Bryant is in his fifth year with 17 starts in 56 games. Don’t be surprised if the Texans elevate Desmond King from the practice squad for Week 2. They play against Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears on Sunday night.

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