The Houston Texans just headed into summer break before training camp rolls around next month. They wrapped up their mandatory minicamp on Wednesday after holding their annual organized team activities (OTAs) before that.
While players like Christian Kirk are taking advantage of the extra reps, the Texans were thrown a curveball when cornerback Ronald Darby decided to retire at the beginning of the month. That opened up a void in the secondary, but Houston may have been gifted a defender who could step in.
Texans Must Sign CB Derion Kendrick After Being Waived by Rams
According to ESPN's Sarah Barshop, the Rams have waived CB Derion Kendrick. He was a 2022 sixth-round pick but tore his ACL last summer, forcing him to miss the 2024 season.
The Rams have waived CB Derion Kendrick, a sixth-round pick in 2022. Kendrick tore his ACL during training camp last summer.
— Sarah Barshop (@sarahbarshop) June 13, 2025
The Texans have Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter as their starting CBs on the boundary. They also have Jalen Pitre at safety, but he has the versatility to play some snaps in the nickel. Rookie ballhawk Jaylin Smith was added in the third round of the 2025 NFL draft, too, but Houston could use Kendrick to bolster that depth.
Over 32 games (18 starts) with the Rams, Kendrick recorded 92 total tackles, 14 pass deflections, three TFLs, and one interception.
Entering the league, his scouting report from Bleacher Report wrote, "Kendrick is a versatile cornerback who can make plays in both zone and man coverage. In man, he plays with great leverage and positioning. He's able to quickly and fluidly get in and out of breaks."
Granted, he's coming off a major knee injury, but Kendrick owns the traits that can make him a starter in this league. If everything checks out with his knee, Houston could look to bring in the 24-year-old. Since Darby decided to retire, a void has opened up in the secondary.
The addition of a player like Kendrick won't change much in Houston, but it will bring some competition to a CB room needing an extra body or two.