Texans work out longtime NFL starter ahead of training camp
If there was one position group in Houston to be excited about in 2022, it was the secondary. The team finished 10th in opponent passing yards per game. The unit was boosted by a strong rookie campaign from safety Jalen Pitre and solid seasons from veteran corners Desmond King II and Steven Nelson. Nevertheless, the […]
If there was one position group in Houston to be excited about in 2022, it was the secondary. The team finished 10th in opponent passing yards per game.
The unit was boosted by a strong rookie campaign from safety Jalen Pitre and solid seasons from veteran corners Desmond King II and Steven Nelson.
Nevertheless, the team has still looked to strengthen the unit this offseason, bringing in Jimmie Ward, Shaquill Griffin, and Darius Phillips. It appears that there may be one more outside addition made soon.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport recently reported that the Texans are working out veteran corner Ronald Darby.
Darby entered the league as a second-round draft pick in 2015 out of Florida State. The first two seasons of his NFL career were spent with the Buffalo Bills. Before the 2017 NFL season, Darby was shipped to the Eagles as part of the Jordan Matthews trade.
Darby's inaugural Eagles' season in 2017 still holds as his highest-rated campaign. Since then, Darby has played for the Commanders and inked a three-year, $30M deal with the Broncos in 2021.
Darby had a solid 2021 and was having an even better 2022 before suffering a season-ending ACL injury in Week 5. Darby was released after the season and has been a free agent since.
The reported Darby interest comes after the team added fellow veteran corner Shaquill Griffin back in May.
Additionally, the Darby interest could be due to the reported tension between the team and veteran Steven Nelson. Nelson is reportedly unhappy with his contract and has not been factored into the offseason game plan.
With the addition of Griffin and potentially Darby, Nelson could be deemed expendable. Derek Stingley Jr. appears set to build off of his rookie season, and the veteran King will man the nickel. Either Griffin or Darby could take over Nelson's starting spot if the team decides to move on.
Featured image via © Ron Chenoy | 2022 Sep 18
