The Houston Texans have added defensive end Chris Braswell to their practice squad after his release from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Braswell, who was a highly regarded five-star recruit in high school, played college football 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, just behind Dallas Turner, who was picked 17th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Despite a promising start, Braswell faced challenges in the NFL, being drafted in the second round but failing to secure a starting role. Over two seasons, he managed only two and a half sacks, leading to his release after struggling with a limited pass rush strategy and missing parts of the preseason.
In Houston, Braswell will train as the team's only defensive end on the practice squad, reuniting with former Alabama teammates Will Anderson Jr. and Logan Hall. Given the Texans' injury concerns at the position, there is a chance he could soon be promoted to the active roster.
Adapting to Houston's 4-3 defensive scheme will require him to focus more on edge-setting and pass rushing, presenting an opportunity for him to develop further and meet the expectations that accompanied his college career. The Texans see this signing as a tactical decision to improve their defensive depth, with Braswell serving as a backup behind Dominique Robinson, Sebastian Harsh, and Jadeveon Clowney.
