Amid the Houston Texans’ own issues at the linebacker spot, they notably saw one of their former players–Devin White–head to the back to the NFC after playing with clubs from the AFC for the past two seasons.
White spent this past season with the Las Vegas Raiders. He was in Houston for the 2024 campaign, though, serving primarily as a backup.
He is coming off another strong season, too, and would have been a solid return candidate.
Ex-Texans LB Devin White Signs With Lions
GettyDevin White is back in the NFC.
The Texans have lost two linebackers to injuries. One of them is already expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2026 season. A third has not practiced over the past two days without any updates. There have been no indications White is on the Texans’ radar or vice versa.
Still, he remains a productive player even in the latter stages of his career.
“Breaking: The #Lions are signing former [Pro Bowler] LB Devin White to a 1-year deal, per sources,” The Schultz Report’s Jordan Schultz reported on X on August 1. “The Super Bowl champion made 17 starts last season for the Raiders, while recording 174 tackles (3rd-most in the NFL), 11 TFLs and 1 INT.
“The #Lions have been quietly exploring a move at LB and now add a former Pro Bowler in Devin White, who also had 2.5 sacks last season.”
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected White, 28, fifth overall in the 2019 draft. He was a Pro Bowler in 2021. White had 19 total tackles for the Texans in 2021. He played in seven games, starting one, both of which remain career lows by six games and 12 games, respectively.
The Lions missed the playoffs in 2025, but their offense ranked fifth overall and fourth in points.
If White can help them solidify a defense that ranked 18th overall and 22nd in scoring last season, they could be right back in the postseason mix after a one-year hiatus.
Texans Losing LBs
GettyDeMeco Ryans provided a critical update as the Houston Texans navigate injuries and scares.
The Texans are officially down two linebackers: E.J. Speed and Jake Hansen. Speed tore his quad during the offseason program and required surgery. He will miss much, if not all, of the upcoming campaign.
Hansen injured his ankle in practice on Friday. He is currently “week-to-week,” per Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans.
The Texans have not had Jake Hummel on the practice field over the past two days, either.
Now, two of those three players are backups. White’s production and age indicate a starter, and he would be unlikely to displace either or Azeez Al-Shaair or Henry To’oTo’o for more snaps than Speed received as LB3 last season.
Texans Not Planning to Add Ex-Patriots LBs After Tryouts
GettySione Takitaki is one of two linebackers the Houston Texans have shown an interest in.
The Texans are living on a razor-thin margin in terms of experience in their linebacking corps behind Al-Shaair and To’oTo’o.
Marte Mapu has never played a game in their system.
Jamal Hill, a former draft pick, has played in 20 games, while rookie selections Aiden Fisher and Wade Woodaz are unproven at this level. Ryans, a former linebacker, surely understands what the Texans need at the position better than anyone.
That makes what the Texans do at the position something to monitor.
“No immediate signing for linebackers Sione Takataki or Jahani Tavai, per sources,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported on X on August 1.
Takitaki and Tavai both worked out for the Texans on July 31 in the wake of Hansen’s–and, potentially, Hummel’s–injury. That neither left with a contract could bode well for Hansen and Hummel’s respective outlooks, but the pool of options like White thins as the Texans wait.
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