The Houston Texans have officially signed defensive tackle Junior Tafuna to their practice squad, as announced on social media on September 2, 2026. This move marks a return for Tafuna, who previously played for the Texans during his rookie season after going undrafted in 2025.
Tafuna was waived by the Texans on August 5 and subsequently claimed by the New York Jets the following day. However, he was among several players released by the Jets during their roster cuts. Now back in Houston, Tafuna is expected to add depth to a team aiming for a Super Bowl.
During his college career at Utah, Tafuna recorded 108 combined tackles, 7.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, three fumble recoveries, two interceptions, and one forced fumble over four seasons. Analysts have noted that while Tafuna may lack some of the ideal traits desired in interior defenders, he has shown athleticism that could be appealing to teams.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlien described him as gritty at the point of attack, capable of neutralizing double-teams, but noted that his margin for error is limited.
