The Houston Texans have signed veteran defensive again Jalen Mills, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reviews. Houston introduced Mills in for a workout final week, and with some uncertainty surrounding a number of members of the staff’s security depth chart, Mills will present an skilled reinforcement.
Mills, 31, entered the NFL as a seventh-round choose of the Eagles in 2016, and he spent most of his first few seasons within the league at cornerback. In 2020, nonetheless, Philadelphia moved him everywhere in the secondary, and he turned in among the finest seasons of his profession (74 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one interception, 68.9 Professional Soccer Focus grade). That efficiency earned him a four-year, $24M deal from the Patriots in 2021.
New England deployed him primarily as a cornerback over his first two years in Foxborough, however after the staff reduce and re-signed him in 2023, he was utilized extra as a security. As of final offseason, he was now not within the membership’s plans, and when a Giants contract failed to supply a roster spot in 2024, he caught on with the Jets’ taxi squad. He in the end appeared in 9 video games (eight begins) for Gang Inexperienced, spending most of his time at security and recording 44 tackles and a choose.
Veteran C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who was acquired by way of commerce with the Eagles in March, lately suffered a knee injury in apply. He didn’t tear his ACL, as was initially feared, however it’s unclear when he’ll return to the sphere. Dianna Russini of The Athletic (subscription required) stated the damage was not a season-ender, and each ESPN’s Adam Schefter (by way of ESPN colleague DJ Bien-Aime) and Aaron Wilson of KPRC2.com indicated CJGJ might be accessible for Week 1 (with Wilson including relaxation and rehab, or maybe a PRP injection, may do the trick).
Fellow security Jimmie Ward, who stays on the PUP checklist attributable to offseason foot surgical procedure, is dealing with a felony domestic violence charge. His subsequent court docket look is scheduled for Wednesday. And as Wilson observes in a separate piece, rookie security Jaylen Reed is dealing with an ankle injury and is predicted to overlook about three weeks.
The Texans have been clearly in want of some cowl on the security place, and Mills, a Tremendous Bowl champion and veteran of 115 NFL appearances (together with 91 begins), will a minimum of assist the membership get via the remainder of camp and the preseason schedule. The Dallas native’s spot on the roster is hardly assured, however it will not be shocking to see him stick round as examined and versatile depth.
