Houston Texans bolster defensive line after Greenard's departure
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11 March 2024
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
Cal Raleigh hit a go-ahead, two-run homer off the right field foul pole and the Seattle Mariners beat the Houston Astros 5-3 on Friday night.
Raleigh's 17th homer followed Julio Rodríguez's tying RBI double in the seventh inning. Leody Taveras homered among his three hits, and Miles Mastrobuoni also hit a solo home run.
Emerson Hancock (2-2) gave up three runs and nine hits in six innings, striking out three and walking none. Hancock won for the first time in six starts, and Andrés Muñoz got the last three outs for 17th save while maintaining his 0.00 ERA.
Isaac Paredes hit his 11th homer of the season and seventh in the past 10 games for Houston.
Jose Altuve had three hits after hitting two homers Thursday. The former second-baseman easily threw out Raleigh when the Mariners' catcher tried to score from second on Taveras' line-drive single to left in the sixth.
Cam Smith also had three hits for the Astros.
Altuve played his 1,870th career game, tying Jośe Cruz for third-most in Astros history behind Craig Biggio (2,850) and Jeff Bagwell (2,150).
Bryan Abreau (1-2) allowed two runs and three hits in 1 1/3 innings, giving up runs for just the second time in 21 appearances. He surrendered three to the Mariners on April 9 for his other loss.
Key moment
Rodríguez, back in the lineup after missing Thursday's game with back tightness, hit Abreu's first pitch for a down the right-field line to score Crawford from first. On the next pitch, Raleigh hit his homer to right.
Key stat
Mastrobuoni’s homer was his first with Seattle, and first in his four-year major league career since 2023 with the Chicago Cubs.
Up next
Seattle's Bryan Woo (5-1, 2.65) pitches against Houston's Framber Valdez (3-4, 3.57) on Saturday.
