Texans Re-Sign Disappointing Defender to Stop Reunion With AFC Rival

Sep 29, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans celebrates defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi (91) defensive stop against Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) in the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
Sep 29, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans celebrates defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi (91) defensive stop against Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) in the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images | Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

The Houston Texans have used this offseason to make changes and tweaks to the roster. From trades, free agency, and the NFL draft, the moves around the team have been flying around.

The draft was the last place where teams could drastically improve with young talent, but there are still players on the open market.

Houston went back into free agency well and re-signed DT Foley Fatukasi on Wednesday, according to ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime.

Texans Brought Back Foley Fatukasi

The Texans bringing Fatukasi back is a bit of a surprise, considering they let him walk in free agency and weren't expected to re-sign him, per Jonathan Alexander of The Houston Chronicle.

Two months later, they decided to bring him back to bolster the interior of their defensive line. Who knows if there were other suitors, but fans of the New York Jets wanted him back. New York has Quinnen Williams dominating inside, yet the team needs another run-stuffing DT, and Fatukasi would have fit the bill.

Fatukasi was a sixth-round pick by the Jets in the 2018 NFL draft. He spent four seasons with the team. Over 45 games (23 starts), he had 115 total tackles, 18 TFLs, 14 QB hits, and three sacks. He quickly became a fan favorite in New York, and fans were clamoring for him to head back to the Big Apple.

Instead, he's back with the Texans. Last season, however, he was a massive disappointment. In 11 games, the 30-year-old had 24 total tackles, three QB hits, four TFLs, and one sack. According to PFF, he had a 33.7 overall grade (211th among 219 graded defensive linemen), 57.5 pass-rush grade (127th among 219 graded defensive linemen), and a 32.4 run-defense grade (208th among 219 graded defensive linemen).

Despite these poor numbers, the Texans like what he brings to the table, and he'll get a chance to bounce back in H-Town this season.

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