The Houston Texans went into this offseason needing plenty of help at wide receiver. Nico Collins has become one of the NFL’s top targets with 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons. But there were plenty of questions with the departure of Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell’s long-term future after suffering a severe leg injury.
The Texans addressed the problem by taking Iowa State receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel in last month’s NFL Draft, but it may not have been necessary if some of their former receivers panned out. One former Texan finds himself back on the free agent market after Tuesday’s news and it could mean his chances in the league are running out before OTAs.
Falcons Release Former Texans WR Phillip Dorsett
According to team reporter Tori McElhaney, the Falcons have released former Texans wide receiver Phillip Dorsett. The move was made to sign linebacker and special teamer Caleb Johnson but it also is another chapter in what’s been a frustrating career for the former Miami Hurricane.
TRANSACTION: The Falcons have signed linebacker, special teamer Caleb Johnson. In a corresponding move, they have released wide receiver Phillip Dorsett II.https://t.co/TvvKPZxePN
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) May 12, 2025
Dorsett was a first-round pick by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2015 NFL Draft, but he never found his footing with 51 catches for 753 yards and three touchdowns over two seasons. He was traded to the New England Patriots for Jacoby Brissett before the start of the 2017 season but that didn’t translate into success as he caught 73 passes for 881 yards and eight touchdowns over three seasons.
Since then, Dorsett has bounced around the league, spending time with the Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, the Falcons and two seasons with the Texans from 2021 to 2022.
It’s the latest chapter in a disappointing career for the former Texans receiver. But it also leaves him further in Houston’s rear view mirror. With a new cast of weapons, the Texans will aim for their third straight AFC South championship and get over the hump after losing in the divisional round each of the past two seasons.