Houston Texans bolster defensive line after Greenard's departure
FREE AGENCY FRENZY
11 March 2024
FREE AGENCY FRENZY
The Texans knew there was a chance that they would have to find a new defensive end after they decided not to use the franchise tag on Jonathan Greenard.
And that's exactly what happened. Greenard agreed to a big deal with the Vikings on Monday, and the Texans countered by agreeing to sign former Titans DE Denico Autry to a 2-year, $20 million contract, per sources.
According to KPRC's Aaron Wilson, only $10.5 million of the deal is guaranteed.
So basically the team can get out of the contract after one season. Which could make some sense as Autry is 33 years old and a dropoff in his performance will likely come sooner rather than later.
Source: #Texans signing defensive end Denico Autry to two-year, $20 million deal @KPRC2 https://t.co/UnooJdwow4
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 11, 2024
As far as sack production, the Texans won't miss much with Autry taking Greenard's place. Autry had 11.5 sacks last season, and Greenard had 12.5.
And while Autry is an older player who will enter this season at 34 years old, he's played every game in 2 of his last 3 seasons. Greenard has yet to have a season where he played every game in his 4-year career.
Autry has 59 sacks and 107 QB hits over his 10-year career.
One thing is for sure, Titans' Jeffery Simmons isn't happy to see his former teammate heading to Houston. That's a good sign.
No way we let Nico go to the Texans…. 🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️
— Jeffery Simmons (@GrindSimmons94) March 11, 2024
José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
The home run by Peraza.
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.