Training camp season is a time when NFL players' dreams can not only be made, but destroyed, too. Coaching staffs must make difficult decisions to trim their roster size from 90 to 53, and it hasn't taken much time for teams to announce their first wave of cuts, and the Houston Texans are the latest team to give a player the axe.
After signing cornerback Arthur Maulet to a one-year deal, the Texans have waived rookie CB Keydrain Calligan, according to KPRC 2 Houston's Aaron Wilson. The former Southeast Louisiana product was signed by Houston in May and is now being forced to find a new team to start his NFL career.
#Texans are waiving rookie cornerback Keydrain Calligan at this time, per a league source, after addition of veteran corner Arthur Maulet on a one-year contract. Calligan made some impressive plays in the spring and has displayed special-teams traits. @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) July 22, 2025
Texans Waive Rookie CB Keydrain Calligan During Training Camp
Formerly with Jackson State and the University of Louisiana at Monroe, Calligan transferred to Southeastern Louisiana University for the 2024 campaign. Although he only played two games, the New Iberia, LA native made the most of his limited opportunities, recording five total tackles (3 solo) while breaking up a pair of passes, showcasing some disruptive tendencies.
Wilson even wrote that Calligan had "made some impressive plays in the spring and has displayed special-teams traits," but that clearly wasn't good enough to keep him in H-Town. At least, not after the Texans signed Maulet as the former's roster replacement.
Maulet oozes significantly more experience than Calligan after playing 85 regular-season games (23 starts) across five franchises, as well as five postseason appearances. The former Memphis Tiger has racked up 168 solo tackles, 16 defended passes, four interceptions, five sacks, and two forced fumbles along the way, and even has experience playing both cornerback and safety.
Considering how valued versatility is across the NFL, it isn't shocking that the Texans preferred to keep Maulet over Calligan. Despite the potential that the undrafted rookie displayed, sometimes it's smarter to keep the more experienced hand — especially if Houston is looking to capture a third consecutive AFC South title this fall.
Maulet will now compete for one of the available depth CB spots behind the likes of Derek Stingley Jr., Kamari Lassiter, and Jake Pitre.
Calligan is still young, meaning there's still plenty of time for him to carve out an NFL career. Having said that, he'll need to prove himself a lot more than he did in Houston if he wants to be a long-term fixture wherever he goes next.