Rookie safety Jaylen Reed is activated, bringing his promising play to the Texans' defense for their crucial playoff clash against the Steelers.
PITTSBURGH – The Houston Texans made some roster moves on Monday ahead of their AFC Wild Card matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Rookie safety Jaylen Reed was activated to the active roster along with defensive tackle Leki Fotu.
To make room for Reed, the Texans released defensive end Darrell Taylor Jr., who was activated from the injured reserve last week after rehabbing an ankle injury. Taylor appeared in four games for Houston this season.
Reed, the sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Penn State University, was injured against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 13 from a previous college procedure that required him to have a metal plate in his forearm.
It was the second time he had dealt with an injury that kept him out for a significant period, having suffered an ankle injury during training camp that landed him on the injured reserve list to start the season. He had shown considerable promise as a backup to former Texans safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
Reed got his opportunity to show what he could do in Week 12 in a primetime matchup against the Buffalo Bills after being named a starter alongside second-year player Calen Bullock. He recorded 11 tackles (8 solo) and a fumble recovery.
“It was very surreal,” said Reed after the Bills game. “It was my first NFL game playing on defense. It was just surreal, being out there with the guys, making plays, making tackles, doing my job, and doing whatever I got to do for the team.”
The Texans will need Reed to repeat his performance against the Bills as they face veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who will test him early and often.