Texans seemingly end position battle with latest move
The Texans did not sign as many undrafted free agents as some other teams, but a few the Texans did sign seemed like they had a good chance to make the team. Xazavian Valladay, running back, Joe Doyle, punter, and Tyler Beach, tackle, were some of the notable names who inked deals in Houston post-draft. […]
The Texans did not sign as many undrafted free agents as some other teams, but a few the Texans did sign seemed like they had a good chance to make the team.
Xazavian Valladay, running back, Joe Doyle, punter, and Tyler Beach, tackle, were some of the notable names who inked deals in Houston post-draft. RB, P, and OT are all positions that seemingly could have openings.
However, before summer even begins, one of the guys who seemed to have a decent shot to make it has already been released.
Per NFL insider Aaron Wilson, the Texans have released former Memphis punter Joe Doyle and signed fellow UDFA Jordan Murray, a tight end out of Hawaii.
This move leaves the incumbent Cameron Johnston as the lone punter on the Texans' roster as of now. It was thought that Doyle could challenge Johnston for the punter job, but it now appears that will not be happening.
Doyle finished 12th in the FBS in 2022 with an average of 45.9 yards per punt. The Tennessee transfer also landed 17 punts inside of the 20-yard line.
Johnston was solid for the Texans in 2022, as only Carolina's Johnny Hekker downed more punts inside of the 20. Johnston was more average in distance, finishing with a punt average of 48.1 yards. The team could have saved $2.5M by releasing Johnston, whose salary for 2023 is non-guaranteed.
Ultimately, it seems likely that Johnston's job is safe for 2023, which will be the final year of his contract in Houston.
