Reid signed to boost depth on OL
The Texans are signing former Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Jah Reid, according to a source not authorized to speak publicly. Reid is a former starter for both teams.
The 6-7, 325-pounder won a Super Bowl with the Ravens.
Reid is known for having a pronounced nasty streak on the field and had a reputation for brawling on the Ravens’ practice field. He once ripped off Texans defensive end J.J. Watt’s helmet during a game but still allowed a sack in that sequence.
Reid is a former Ravens thirdround draft pick from Central Florida.
He has started 18 of 61 career games played.
Reid was released by the Chiefs when they traded for lineman Cameron Irving. He was due a $3.5 million base salary this year and nearly $4 million in 2018.
Reid worked out for the Texans on Friday along with several other players. He was the only lineman invited to audition, working out along with quarterback Garrett Grayson, tight ends Gavin Escobar, Gary Barnidge, David Johnson, MyCole Pruitt and Larry Donnell and wide receivers Cobi Hamilton and Jordan Leslie.
The Texans are signing Pruitt and Hamilton to the practice squad, and other roster moves are expected due to the number of injuries the team has suffered during the first two games.
Foreman runs hard in increased action
Texans rookie running back D’Onta Foreman displayed the power and tackle-breaking skills he was known for at the University of Texas.
The third-round draft pick from Texas City punished linebackers during a 13-9 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, rushing for 40 yards on a dozen carries.
Foreman wasn’t entirely satisfied, feeling he left some yards out there on the field.
“I think I played OK,” Foreman said. “I feel like I can always get better. I tried to go out there and play hard and run and make some positive yards so we can get some touchdowns.
“I think there were some tackles I feel I should have stepped out of, and I could have gained more yards, but that’s just part of me getting better.”
Foreman led the nation with 2,028 rushing yards last season before declaring early for the draft. He won the Doak Walker award as the nation’s top running back.
Texans coach Bill O’Brien had said he would increase Foreman’s workload significantly after he was limited to one carry for 4 yards in his NFL regularseason debut in a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“I thought he did a good job,” O’Brien said. “He’s a downhill guy. He’s got good vision. He’s a big guy, and he ran hard. The first time he’s had that much action, he did a good job.”
Jackson delivers hits all over the field
The hard-hitting presence of veteran cornerback Kareem Jackson paid off with major dividends for the Texans during their narrow victory over the Bengals.
Jackson was all over the field Thursday night, blitzing into the backfield untouched to tackle Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton for his first career sack. Later, Jackson forced a fumble when he popped the football out of the hands of rookie wide receiver John Ross and outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney returned it 49 yards.
“I thought K-Jack played one of the best games he’s had since I’ve been here,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “He did a lot of different things. Just a very smart player and he’s a very valuable player to our team because he can do so many different things, and he played really well.”
Jackson led the Texans with seven tackles, including five solos and two tackles for losses.
“Just running to the ball trying to make a tackle,” Jackson said. “You kind of get lucky and put your hat on the ball and kind of separate the man from the ball.”
Reader responds with big outing
Texans nose tackle D.J. Reader was disappointed with how things went during a season-opening loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Not only did the Texans fall short as a team, but the defense was pounded by the Jaguars’ running game.
Reader responded with a resurgent performance during a win over Cincinnati on Thursday night. He finished with a career-high six tackles, including five solos, as the Texans shut down the Bengals’ running game.
“D.J. Reader played a hell of a football game,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “I mean, he was all over the place, played tough, ran down plays.”
Clowney: ‘I should have scored’
In a blink, Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney caught a fumble on the fly forced by cornerback Kareem Jackson.
Clowney smoothly reversed direction and recaptured his old high school running back days as he took off for a 49-yard return.
It was another display of the Pro Bowl pass rusher’s athleticism, but the ending left him dissatisfied. Much to his frustration, Clowney got tackled by Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton instead of reaching the end zone.
“I didn’t see him,” Clowney said. “I was kind of upset. I should have scored.”
The play by Clowney was remarkable, though. Clowney’s eye-catching 4.53 speed in the 40-yard dash at 6-5, 270 pounds was on full display.
“He was moving,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “He can run. It’s pretty amazing. He’s 270-something pounds. Kareem Jackson came in and knocked the ball out and the ball popped right to JD, and he reversed field and went. I was glad he went the right way because he was headed the other way. It was a good play.”
Aaron Wilson