Houston Texans are bringing back a critical piece on defense
FREE AGENT FRENZY
15 March 2022
FREE AGENT FRENZY
ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that the Houston Texans and DT Maliek Collins have agreed to a contract. Collins will return to the Texans on a 2-year, $17 million deal with $8.5 million guaranteed.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins is signing back with the Texans on a 2-year $17 million deal that includes $8.5 million guaranteed, per @DrewJRosenhaus and @RyanMatha.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2022
We've heard several reports that the Texans were looking to find a way to bring Collins back, and they did exactly that. Lovie Smith mentioned Collins during his NFL Combine interview as one of several players the team was hoping to retain. The 26-year-old defensive tackle started 15 games and recorded 2.5 sacks with 7 QB hits for Houston in 2021. Collins was drafted by the Cowboys out of Nebraska in the third round in 2016.
Jose Altuve hit a two-run homer and Framber Valdez tossed six shutout innings, and the Houston Astros beat the Chicago Cubs 2-0 on Sunday.
Altuve’s 13th home run of the season broke a scoreless tie in the fifth inning. It was his first extra base hit in 34 at bats and the Astros' only extra base hit of the game.
ALTUVE FOR THE LEAD!!!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/1rX89783yx
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 29, 2025
Valdez (9-4) struck out six while allowing five hits and two walks.
Starring The Framchise.#BuiltForThis x @budweiserusa pic.twitter.com/sNReaztMjl
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 29, 2025
Only one man reached third base against him. He exited with two on and nobody out in the seventh, but Bryan Abreu replaced him and retired Michael Busch, Vidal Bruján and Ian Happ to work out of trouble.
Abreu pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning. He struck out four of the six men he faced.
Josh Hader retired the side in order in the ninth inning to convert on his franchise record 23rd straight save opportunity to start the season.
Jameson Taillon (7-6) matched zeroes with Valdez until Altuve’s home run on his 107th and final pitch of his outing. He struck out four while giving up five hits and one walk over 4 2/3 innings.
The bullpen trio of Ryan Brasier, Ryan Pressly and Brad Keller held the Astros to two hits over 3 1/3 innings.
Altuve’s fifth inning, two-run homer to break the scoreless tie.
The Astros are unbeaten in their last 11 series, dating back to May 22, going 9-0-2 in that span.
The Cubs open a three-game series against the Guardians on Tuesday with LHP Matthew Boyd (7-3 2.65 ERA) against RHP Gavin Williams (5-3 3.68 ERA).
The Astros open a three-game series at the Rockies on Tuesday with LHP Colton Gordon (3-1 3.98 ERA) against RHP Chase Dollander (2-8 6.06 EA).