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Houston Texans bolster defensive line after Greenard's departure
Mar 11, 2024, 4:29 pm
Denico Autrey has agreed to join the Texans. Photo via: Wiki Commons.
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
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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.