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.
Astros show signs of life in blowout win over Brewers
May 7, 2025, 3:25 pm
Framber Valdez pitched seven strong innings and Jeremy Peña homered and drove in four runs as the Houston Astros defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 9-1 on Wednesday.
Houston earned just its second victory in seven games to snap Milwaukee’s three-game winning streak and leave both teams with .500 records. The Brewers were attempting to sweep a series from the Astros for the first time since 2012.
The Astros led 3-1 before Peña broke the game open by delivering a three-run homer to left off reliever Elvin Rodriguez with two outs in the sixth inning.
JP3-run bomb. #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/En0XXWdlt0
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
Valdez (2-4) struck out seven while allowing three hits, two walks and one run to earn his first win since the Astros’ March 27 season opener. He threw a season-high 101 pitches.
The Framchise is all business.#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/J8EGGDk5gl
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
Milwaukee’s only run off Valdez came on Eric Haase’s fifth-inning homer, a 425-foot drive to center.
The Astros took a 1-0 lead off Quinn Priester (1-1) in the second inning as Jake Meyers hit a two-out single and scored on Zach Dezenzo’s double.
RBI double for Zach gets us on the board early! #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/AilCY27A9d
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
The Brewers have lost all 13 games this season in which their opponent scored first.
Five-time All-Star closer Josh Hader worked the ninth while pitching in Milwaukee for the first time since the Brewers traded him in 2022.
Key moment
The Astros led 1-0 and had runners on third and second with one out in the fifth when Peña hit a bouncer to third.
Safe all day. #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/OVjcvev7cM
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
The throw home beat Dezenzo to the plate. Home plate umpire Chris Conroy initially ruled Dezenzo out, but the Astros challenged the call and replays showed the runner slid home ahead of Haase’s tag.
Key stat
Valdez has now pitched at least seven innings an MLB-leading 57 times since 2020.
Up next
The Astros host the Cincinnati Reds on Friday. Scheduled pitchers are right-hander Hunter Brown (5-1, 1.67) for the Astros and right-hander Nick Martinez (1-3, 4.19) for the Reds.
The Brewers visit the Tampa Bay Ray on Friday. Left-hander José Quintana (4-1, 2.83) will pitch for the Brewers.
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