Houston Texans Rumors: Three guys who could replace Andre Hal
By T.A. Mock
Houston Texans safety, Andre Hal, surprisingly announced his retirement Tuesday afternoon. Let’s take a look at three guys who could replace him.
Around a year ago, news broke that Houston Texans safety Andre Hal had been diagnosed non-Hodgkins lymphoma. News of cancer is always devastating for anyone and it was the same for Hal who had just signed a contract extension and was coming into his own as a safety.
The Texans drafted Hal out of Vanderbilt University in the seventh round, 216th overall, of the 2014 draft. Seventh rounders aren’t supposed to amount to much, they’re just supposed to be camp bodies, backups, and special teamers.
Hal, however, gave Houston much more than that. He didn’t play a ton his rookie season as a cornerback but his first full offseason with the team saw him move to safety. As a safety, he immediately earned playing time and became a good, starting caliber guy in the back of the defense.
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He was slated for a big role next to Tyrann Mathieu and alongside Justin Reid this past season until he was diagnosed with lymphoma. He was out indefinitely but he completely defied the odds to return in week seven and play half of the games and he produced like normal notching three interceptions and five pass breakups.
Then, yesterday, Hal announced his retirement from football, saying it was just time and not health-related, which is sad but good news. So, the Houston Texans now have a hole to fill at safety even though they have Reid and Tashaun Gipson. Let’s take a look at three guys who could replace Hal in the secondary.