Texans shake up their offensive line, waiving a veteran guard just before facing the high-powered Chiefs. Key roster moves prioritize protecting C.J. Stroud.
The Houston Texans made a significant shake-up to their offensive line depth chart this week, officially waiving veteran guard and former Pro Bowl selection Laken Tomlinson on Tuesday. The move comes just days before the team's critical AFC road showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Texans (7-5) are riding a wave of momentum following a key divisional win but opted to part ways with the 11-year veteran as the team appears comfortable with its recent changes to the interior line. Tomlinson, 33, was an offseason free-agent signing brought in on a one-year deal to solidify the left guard position.
A Roster Shift Focused on Performance
Tomlinson started the season as the starting left guard, logging starts in seven of the team's first ten games. However, his performance this season, which included ranking near the bottom among qualifying guards by some analytic outlets like Pro Football Focus, did not meet expectations.
The team has been adjusting its offensive front, and Tomlinson was replaced in the starting lineup by Jarrett Patterson in Week 10. More recently, the Texans have solidified a new-look interior line featuring Tytus Howard at left guard, Ed Ingram at right guard, and Juice Scruggs at center.
Tomlinson started in seven of the Texans' first eight games of the regular season but had been a healthy scratch for the last two games, signaling the team's shift away from the veteran.
High-Stakes Game Looms
The timing of the move underscores the Texans' focus on optimizing their roster for the playoff push. Heading into a vital Week 14 contest against the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, protecting quarterback C.J. Stroud remains paramount.
Stroud has been under constant pressure this season, and the offensive line's recent improvements without Tomlinson in the lineup likely played a role in the decision.
Tomlinson, a former first-round pick who earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2021 with the San Francisco 49ers, will now be subject to the NFL's waiver process. Any team can claim him off waivers, a process typically reserved for players waived after the trade deadline who are not vested veterans. Should he clear waivers, he would become a free agent and could sign with any club.
The Texans did not immediately announce a corresponding move to fill the vacant spot on the 53-man roster. The team will look to carry its recent winning streak and momentum into Kansas City this Sunday.