The Houston Texans have been the biggest surprise in the NFL during the 2023 regular season. Entering Week 12 with a 6-4 record, they have blown away all expectations placed on them before the season got started.
Right in the thick of the AFC Playoff picture, the Texans are heading into a huge game this weekend. They are hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are currently 7-3 and in first place in the AFC South.
If Houston can pull off the win, they will take over first place in the division as they will have swept the season series against Jacksonville. Being in first place this late into the season would be something not even the most optimistic of Texans backers could have predicted.
Looking to bolster their roster for the rest of the season, Houston dipped into free agency recently for a former All-Pro player. Earlier this week, they signed veteran cornerback Desmond King to their practice squad.
King, a fifth-round pick of the Los Angeles Chargers in 2017, was a special teams contributor early in his career, but injuries opened the door for him to get onto the field. Jason Verrett was injured twice, opening the door for King to get onto the field defensively more than the team had planned.
He responded well, providing impact as a playmaking defensive back and electric return man on special teams. In his second season in the NFL, he made the All-Pro First and Second Team as a defensive back and return man, showcasing his impressive versatility.
This is actually his second stint with the Texans as he spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons in Houston before joining the Pittsburgh Steelers for a short stint earlier this season. He provides the team with a steady veteran presence on the practice squad.
While he hasn’t played for this coaching staff in Houston, he knows the franchise well and they know him. Should an injury arise, the Texans should be comfortable turning to a player they know well to step into the lineup and produce.
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