The Houston Texans have signed defensive end Chris Braswell, who was recently released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after two seasons.
Braswell, a five-star recruit from high school, played at Alabama where he recorded eight sacks and ten tackles for loss, stepping in as the Jack linebacker after Will Anderson Jr. His performance was second on the team, trailing only Dallas Turner, who was selected 17th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Despite his promising start, Braswell struggled to find success in the NFL. He was drafted in the second round by Tampa Bay but never earned a starting position, accumulating only two and a half sacks over two seasons. His lack of production and a limited pass rush strategy led to his release, especially after he missed parts of the preseason and was outperformed by teammates.
Now with the Texans, Braswell reunites with former Alabama teammate Will Anderson Jr. and Logan Hall, who also played with the Buccaneers. He will join the practice squad, where he is expected to train as the team's sole defensive end. Given the Texans' current injury issues at the position, there is a possibility he could be elevated to the active roster soon.
Braswell's transition to Houston's 4-3 defensive scheme will require him to adapt his playstyle, focusing more on edge-setting and pass rushing. This change presents an opportunity for him to develop his skills and potentially fulfill the high expectations that surrounded him during his college career.
