The Houston Texans have added defensive end Chris Braswell to their practice squad after his recent release from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Braswell, a highly regarded five-star recruit in high school, played college football at Alabama, where he achieved eight sacks and ten tackles for loss.
He stepped in as the Jack linebacker, taking over for Will Anderson Jr., and ranked second on the team in performance, behind Dallas Turner, who was picked 17th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Despite a promising college career, Braswell faced challenges in the NFL. Drafted in the second round by Tampa Bay, he struggled to secure a starting role and only managed two and a half sacks in two seasons. His release came after he missed parts of the preseason and was outperformed by his teammates.
In Houston, Braswell will reunite with former Alabama teammates Will Anderson Jr. and Logan Hall. He is expected to train as the team's only defensive end on the practice squad, with the potential for elevation to the active roster due to existing injury concerns at the position.
Adapting to the Texans' 4-3 defensive scheme will require Braswell to refine his edge-setting and pass-rushing skills, offering him a chance to meet the high expectations set during his college years. The Texans view this signing as a strategic enhancement to their defensive depth, positioning Braswell as a backup behind Dominique Robinson, Sebastian Harsh, and Jadeveon Clowney.
