DeMeco Ryans and the Houston Texans are making their final preparations before facing the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wild Card, and that includes swapping out another team’s former draft pick with one of their own in a late roster tweak.
With hours to go before taking the field, the Texans also got confirmation on previous reports about the status of their QB room.
All of it comes after the Texans’ path forward–with a win–became clear on Sunday.
Texans Make Decision on Young Starter
GettyJaylen Reed #23 of the Houston Texans leaves the field after being injured against the Indianapolis Colts.
According to KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson in a post on X on January 12, the Texans are activating rookie safety Jaylen Reed from injured reserve to the active roster.
Reed, the No. 187 overall pick of the 2025 draft, broke a metal plate in his forearm from a previous injury during the Texans’ Week 13 win over the Indianapolis Colts. It was his seventh game of the season.
More importantly, it was Reed’s first career start.
Reed practiced in full all week, and he was absent from the Texans’ update on Saturday, in which they ruled out rookie UDFA cornerback Ajani Carter.
Safety has been a source of constant turnover for the Texans this season due to performance and injury issues. Reed is one of six players who have manned the position, a group that includes starting nickelback Jalen Pitre.
Reed’s return coincides with that of cornerback and fellow starter Kamari Lassiter.
Lassiter missed the regular-season finale against the Colts, but he suggested that the decision was made out of an abundance of caution rather than any further concerns.
Texans Part Ways With Former Seahawks Pass Rusher
GettyDarrell Taylor #52 of the Houston Texans reacts against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
To make room for Reed on the 53-man roster, the Texans had to cut another player. Wilson noted it was Darrell Taylor, and the move drew national attention over the rookie’s return.
“The #Texans are releasing pass-rusher Darrell Taylor, who just came off IR and is healthy now, sources say,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on X on January 12. “He heads to waivers and can be claimed by a playoff team.
Taylor, 28, was the No. 48 overall pick in 2020 by the Seattle Seahawks.
He is in his first season with the Texans. Taylor signed a one-year, $4.7 million contract in free agency during the 2025 offseason. He has also played for the Chicago Bears.
Taylor recorded 3 total tackles in four games with the Texans, seeing 35 snaps on defense and 29 on special teams, per Pro Football Reference. Taylor last played for the Texans in Week 9 against the Denver Broncos.
Texans Get Confirmation on QB Situation
GettyDavis Mills #10 of the Houston Texans reacts against the Tennessee Titans.
In one of their more significant roster developments, the Texans faced uncertainty around backup quarterback Davis Mills’ status for the game. Mills did not fly to Pittsburgh with the Texans for what the team called “personal reasons.”
The fifth-year QB and his wife, Tori, recently had a child.
Mills was expected to rejoin the team, taking a commercial flight to be in town for the game on Monday. That is what is taking place.
“#Texans backup QB Davis Mills, whose wife just had a baby, will travel to tonight’s game and be available against the #Steelers,” Rapoport reported in a separate post on X on Monday. “Mills stayed an extra night at home.”
Mills led the Texans on a three-game winning streak in C.J. Stroud’s place.
The Texans would have turned to rookie sixth-rounder Graham Mertz if Mills missed the contest. However, they will avoid making that decision and, they hope, other potential roster issues.
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