Entering the fray: DeMeco Ryans adds to Texans defense in free agency
FREE AGENCY FRENZY
11 March 2024
FREE AGENCY FRENZY
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.
José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
The home run by Peraza.
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.