Chris Reed has secured a likelihood at a tenth NFL season, while Quintez Cephus has landed one other opportunity with a team following his 2023 gambling suspension. The Texans will greenlight these depth signings.
After Reed played two seasons with the Vikings, KSTP’s Darren Wolfson notes he’ll land in Houston. Cephus reached an agreement to affix a crowded Texans receiving corps, in line with his agency. Cephus spent last season out of football but was among the many gambling policy violators reinstated earlier this offseason. The Bills initially added Cephus following his reinstatement but cut him soon after.
This may mark team No. 6 for Reed, who’s now a Titans agreement away from the AFC South cycle. Reed primarily operated as a Vikings backup but has made 30 profession starts. He figures to combine in as a competitor for a swing role in Houston, which is returning multiple interior O-linemen after season-ending injuries.
The Panthers used Reed as a 14-game starter in 2020, when he played exclusively at left guard. Reed began six games for the Colts in 2021. He lined up at each guard spots, replacing Quenton Nelson and Mark Glowinski, that 12 months. Reed also made eight starts for the Jaguars from 2016-18; a nomadic path followed.
Reed, who will turn 32 next week, spent most of last season on Minnesota’s reserve/NFI list. He logged all of two offensive snaps in 2023. The Vikings had turned to Reed as an emergency center late within the 2022 season, as Garrett Bradbury rehabbed an injury. The perimeters reached an agreement on a pay cut to maintain the Minnesota State alum within the Twin Cities, but last season brought a transparent step back for the ex-UDFA.
The Texans lost Josh Jones (to the Ravens) in free agency but have Kenyon Green and Kendrick Green getting back from season-ending maladies. The previous, a 2022 first-rounder, can have the within track to start out at left guard opposite the durable Shaq Mason. Kendrick Green, a former Steelers center starter who has not played much since that 2021 season, is in a contract 12 months. Jarrett Patterson, whom Juice Scruggs is predicted to supplant at center, also aspects into Houston’s LG competition. Reed, who could actually loom as a possible practice squad insurance option, figures to vie for an interior swing role.
Cephus, 26, was a part of 2023’s first wave of players suspended for violating the gambling policy. The ex-Lion was found to have made NFL bets, resulting in a full-season suspension. The Bills cut the previous Lions role player after a number of weeks. Cephus did amass 553 receiving yards between the 2020 and ’21 seasons, however the backup/special-teamer’s profession has skidded off target.
The Texans won’t have spots for all their notable names at receiver, making this a somewhat interesting addition. Along with projected starters Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins and Tank Dell, Houston rosters Robert Woods, Noah Brown, 2022 second-rounder John Metchie and trade acquisition Ben Skowronek. Cephus stands to have an uphill battle to make the team’s 53-man roster, and trade rumors figure to affect a number of of the Texans’ backup options.
