Entering the fray: DeMeco Ryans adds to Texans defense in free agency
FREE AGENCY FRENZY
11 March 2024
The Texans added a cornerback on Monday. Composite Getty Image.
The Houston Texans have seen several players exit in free agency on Monday, first Jonathan Greenard signed with the Vikings. Later that afternoon, linebacker Blake Cashman also chose to sign with the Vikings.
Texans fans also watched all the top tier running backs fly off the board with Josh Jacobs heading to Green Bay, Saquon Barkley signing with the Eagles, and Tony Pollard agreeing to join the Titans.
Former Texans running back Devin Singletary also won't be returning, after agreeing to a 3-year deal with the Giants.
After that first wave of big ticket free agents passed, Houston is finally getting in on the action.
Jeff Okudah can make up to $6 million with $1.25 million playtime incentives per a league source @KPRC2 https://t.co/0A2IwbTp69
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 11, 2024
According to multiple reports, the Texans are signing cornerback Jeff Okudah to a 1-year, $4.75 million contract. Adding to this position was a must, with Derek Stingley and Desmond King being the only legitimate options currently on the roster.
Okudah is a former 1st-round (3rd overall) pick of the Detroit Lions. He spent his first 3 years in Detroit before being traded to the Falcons last April.
The 25-year-old played in 13 games for the Falcons last season, recording 44 tackles and 3 passes defended.
Nolan Jones scored the go-ahead run on a throwing error by pitcher Steven Okert in the seventh inning, and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Houston Astros 4-2 on Sunday to avoid a three-game sweep.
Steven Kwan followed with a sacrifice fly, plating Bo Naylor, as Okert (1-2) allowed two runs in his lone inning. Houston had tied the game at 2-all in the top of the seventh on Cam Smith’s two-run double against Tanner Bibee.
Cade Smith (2-2) retired all five batters he faced, striking out three. Emmanuel Clase worked the ninth for his 14th save.
Naylor matched his season high with three hits, including a two-run homer in the second off Brandon Walter. The Guardians had lost eight of their previous 12 games.
Walter, who was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land earlier in the day, allowed two runs in six innings. Jake Meyers matched a career high with four hits for the Astros, who went 4-2 on a six-game trip and have won 10 of their last 14.
Bibee, who carried a two-hit shutout into the seventh, struck out six without a walk over 6 1/3 innings.
Key moment
Okert cleanly fielded Will Wilson’s sacrifice bunt in the seventh, but flung the ball past first baseman Christian Walker, allowing Jones to race home from second. Naylor also advanced to third on the error.
Key stat
Guardians third baseman José Ramírez extended his on-base streak to 34 games with a single. It’s the longest for the franchise since Jason Kipnis’ 36-gamer in 2013.
Up next
Astros: RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (1-1, 4.44 ERA) opens a three-game series and a six-game homestand Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox.
Guardians: RHP Luis Ortiz (3-6, 4.02) starts Monday as longtime Cleveland manager Terry Francona returns to town with the Cincinnati Reds.
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