The Houston Texans received unexpected news of cornerback Ronald Darby's retirement earlier in June. This threw a wrench in the team's plans on the defensive side of the ball. Last week, the Texans signed former first-round pick Damon Arnette Jr. as Darby's eventual replacement, who could take over the CB3/4 for the team.
To make room for Arnette, however, the Texans needed to cut a player on the 90-man roster. NFL insider Aaron Wilson reported on Friday that player was veteran long snapper Tucker Addington.
#Texans signed former @WVUfootball standout long snapper Austin Brinkman after the draft to three-year contract with $110,000 guaranteed. With release of Tucker Addington, Brinkman is the only long snapper on the roster @KPRC2 https://t.co/wFmehSxOh2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) June 20, 2025
Texans Release LS Tucker Addington to Make Room for Damon Arnette Jr.
Addington was signed to a reserve/futures contract with the Houston Texans in February. Once longtime long snapper Jon Weeks left in free agency and signed with the 49ers after 15 seasons in Houston, many assumed that Addington would be the team's new long snapper.
After the NFL Draft, however, the Texans signed undrafted free agent long snapper Austin Brinkman to a three-year contract. The former West Virginia standout must have impressed the team during OTAs and minicamp, as Addington was let go.
The Texans will start the season with a long snapper not named Jon Weeks for the first time since 2009. This will certainly put some pressure on Brinkman in his first season in the league but this vote of confidence over Addington, who has been in the league for several years, should go a long way.
Addington, on the other hand, was just released by his fourth team since the start of the 2024 season. He will likely continue to bounce around and get starts when teams need an emergency backup in case of an injury.