The Houston Texans have signed defensive end Dominique Robinson, according to the latest NFL transaction log on Spotrac.
The move, which occurred Tuesday, afternoon, comes one day after the team released the 28-year-old during final cuts to reach the 53-man roster.
Robinson originally joined Houston in free agency on March 9 on a one-year contract worth $3 million with a maximum value of $4 million, including $1.5 million guaranteed.
The Texans released him Aug. 30 as part of a larger group of veterans trimmed before the regular season, a common tactic to manage guarantees and roster flexibility. He returns on identical terms after recovering from a calf injury that limited him in the preseason.
The signing adds experienced depth to a pass-rush group already featuring All-Pro Will Anderson Jr. and veteran Danielle Hunter, along with Jadeveon Clowney. Robinson is expected to compete for rotational snaps rather than a starting role.
A 2022 fifth-round pick (174th overall) by the Chicago Bears out of Miami (Ohio), Robinson has been in the NFL since that draft. He began his college career as a quarterback and wide receiver before converting to defensive end, a transition that made him a developmental project.
In four seasons with the Bears he appeared in 46 games with eight starts—seven of them as a rookie—and recorded 68 tackles, 3.5 sacks and three pass deflections. His most productive year as a reserve came in 2025, when he posted 19 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 12 games. He also notched a sack and forced fumble in the playoffs.
At 6-foot-5 and 275 pounds, Robinson brings length and athleticism that fit Houston’s scheme. He started seven games late in his 2022 rookie season and has shown flashes as a sub-package rusher.
The Texans hope the change of scenery and coaching under DeMeco Ryans can help him take another step after modest production in Chicago.
The re-signing reflects Houston’s preference for familiar veterans who know the system and can contribute immediately if injuries arise.
Dylan Horton’s season-ending Achilles injury earlier in camp created an extra opening on the edge. Robinson’s return keeps the defensive end room at a comfortable five-deep heading into Week 1.
For a Texans team that has invested heavily in its front seven, Robinson is a low-risk, high-upside depth piece.
He will compete for snaps and special-teams work while providing insurance behind the established stars. The transaction closes a brief chapter that began with his March arrival and underscores how quickly roster pictures can shift in late August.
