Houston Texans get a boost to DeMeco's defense by signing former first-round pick
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15 March 2023
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.
The #Texans have signed DT Sheldon Rankins to a one-year, $10.5 million deal, source says. DeMeco Ryans gets a big piece for his defensive front. After two years with the #Jets, Rankins heads to Houston. pic.twitter.com/vYA93fN4u4
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 15, 2023
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.
Wyatt Langford homered with a career-high tying four hits and Adolis García added a solo shot to lead the Texas Rangers to a 7-3 win over the Houston Astros on Friday night.
The Rangers jumped on Lance McCullers Jr. (2-4) early. There were two outs with the bases loaded in the first when Evan Carter’s single to right field knocked in a pair to put the Rangers up 2-0.
The AL West-leading Astros cut the deficit to 2-1 when Cam Smith scored on a groundout in the bottom of the inning.
García homered for a second straight game with one out in the third that made it 3-1. Carter walked with two outs before a single from Jake Burger. Jonah Heim’s double to right field scored them both to extend the lead to 5-1.
McCullers allowed six hits and five runs in three innings as Houston’s losing streak reached a season-high four games.
Langford’s blast came with two outs in the seventh to push the lead to 7-3.
Jack Leiter (5-6) yielded five hits and three runs while striking out six in 5 1/3 innings.
Christian Walker singled to open Houston’s fourth before Victor Caratini’s home run to right field got the Astros within 5-3.Burger was replaced in the middle of the sixth inning with discomfort in his left quad.
Houston’s top prospect, second baseman Brice Matthews, went 0 for 4 with with three strikeouts in his major league debut.
Key moment
Heim’s two RBI double in the third that pushed the lead to four.
Key stat
The Rangers forced McCullers to throw 36 pitches in the first inning.
Up next
Houston LHP Framber Valdez (10-4, 2.90 ERA) opposes RHP Jacob deGrom (9-2, 2.29) when the series continues Saturday.
