Houston Texans add exciting pieces to defensive line and receiver group

WHEELING AND DEALING

Texans DeMeco Ryans
The Texans reloaded on the defensive line. Composite image by Brandon Strange.

Edge rusher Darrell Taylor and wide receiver Braxton Berrios have agreed to one-year contracts with the Houston Texans, two people with knowledge of the deals told The Associated Press on Monday.

Both people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team hasn’t announced the deals. Taylor is getting $5.25 million and Berrios will receive $2 million.

Taylor had 24 1/2 sacks in four seasons with Seattle and Chicago. He had a career-best 9 1/2 sacks for the Seahawks in 2022.

The Texans added wideout Christian Kirk in a trade with Jacksonville last week. The deal won’t be official until the new league year begins Wednesday. Former Chiefs receiver Justin Watson also agreed to a deal with Houston on Monday.

Berrios, a return specialist, was limited to six games last year because of injuries. He had a career-high 46 catches for the Jets in 2021 and played for Miami the past two seasons.

According to reports, the Texans also brought back defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins after spending his last season with the Bengals. Pass rusher Derek Barnett was also re-signed.


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The Astros beat the Guardians, 4-2. Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images.

Jeremy Peña had three hits to extend his hitting streak to 12 games, Colton Gordon got his first major league win and the Houston Astros defeated the Cleveland Guardians 4-2 on Friday night.

Christian Walker drove in a pair of runs in the fifth inning and Brendan Rodgers added a solo shot in the sixth as the Astros improved to 3-1 on their six-game road trip.

Gordon (1-1), who was making his fifth start, allowed one run on seven hits and struck out five. The left-hander was an eighth-round pick in the 2021 amateur draft.

Josh Hader recorded his 17th save, tied for second in the American League.

David Fry homered for the Guardians, who have dropped three of four. Carlos Santana had his 14-game hitting streak snapped.

It is the second hitting streak this season of at least 10 games for Peña. The shortstop is batting .449 (22 of 49) with three home runs and six RBIs during his current run.

Houston took the lead with three runs in the fifth off Cleveland starter Logan Allen (3-4). Peña scored from second on a deep infield single by Jose Altuve and Walker drove in a pair with a base hit to right.

Key moment

Cleveland had a chance to do some damage in the first inning, but Angel Martínez and José Ramírez were thrown out at second by Houston left fielder Mauricio Dubón when they tried to extend base hits into doubles.

Dubón joined Toronto's Addison Barger as outfielders with a pair of assists in one inning this season.

Key stat

Houston's struggles with the bases loaded continues. The Astros were 0 for 2 Friday night and are last in the majors with a .146 batting average.

Up next

Houston RHP Hunter Brown (8-3, 1.83 ERA) is tied for the AL lead in wins. Cleveland will go with RHP Gavin Williams (5-3, 3.79 ERA).

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