Houston Texans get a boost to DeMeco's defense by signing former first-round pick

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Houston Texans get a boost to DeMeco's defense by signing former first-round pick
Texans add a key piece to the defensive line.Photo via Getty Images, composite by Brandon Strange.

It's no secret, the Texans have struggled mightily to stop the run over the last several seasons. And it looks like they are trying hard to get that corrected in 2023. Head coach DeMeco Ryans was able to convince former 49ers DT Hassan Ridgeway to come to Houston with him and sign a one-year deal this week. A good first step.

But clearly, the Texans feel like they have more work to do on the defensive line.

Mike Garafolo is reporting that the Texans and former Saints first-round pick Sheldon Rankins have agreed on a 1-year deal for $10.5 million.

Rankins spent his first five years in New Orleans, and played the last two seasons with the New York Jets.

His best statistical season was with the Saints in 2018 when he had 8 sacks, 12 tackles for a loss, and 15 QB hits. Hopefully, Rankins can recapture some of that magic he had with the Saints early in his career.

Even if he maintains his current level of play, this should be a nice upgrade to the Texans defensive front.

In 2022, Rankins recorded 43 tackles, 3 sacks, and 1 forced fumble in 15 games with the Jets.

He will be 29 years old when the season begins.

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Rockets beat the Grizzlies, 119-115. Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images.

Alperen Sengun had 32 points and 14 rebounds, and the Houston Rockets held on to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 119-115 on Thursday night in a showdown between two of the top teams in the Western Conference.

Jalen Green finished with 27 points and Fred VanVleet scored 22 as the Rockets won their third straight and solidified their hold on second place in the Western Conference, moving 1 1/2 games ahead of Memphis.

Ja Morant scored 27 points in his return from a five-game absence with a shoulder injury, and Jaren Jackson Jr. added 21 points, eight rebounds and six blocks for Memphis. Desmond Bane had 16 points.

Houston dominated the inside early, scoring 20 points in the paint before the halfway point of the first quarter. Memphis initially couldn't stop anything at the rim. Houston opened a 17-point lead before taking a 68-63 advantage at the break.

Takeaways

Rockets: Houston is 12-5 on the road, including six straight wins away from home.

Grizzlies: After allowing the Rockets to score inside and build a big lead, Memphis chipped into the advantage to make it a more competitive game.

Key moment

With 3.8 seconds left in the game and Houston leading 117-114, Bane fired up a 3-pointer that rattled in. But Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins called timeout before the shot was made. Bane was fouled on the ensuing inbounds, and Memphis wouldn't get another chance for a winning shot.

Key stat

Houston is 19-3 when they score at least 110. Houston hasn't allowed more than 115 points in past 15 games.

Up next

The Rockets are at Atlanta on Saturday. Memphis travels to Minnesota to face the Timberwolves on Saturday.

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