The Houston Texans have brought back defensive tackle Naquan Jones, signing him off the San Francisco 49ers practice squad after releasing him in August.
The move, reported by NFL insider Aaron Wilson, reunites the team with a veteran interior lineman who provided depth during Houston’s run to the top-ranked defense last season.
Jones, 27, spent time with the Minnesota Vikings before landing on the 49ers’ practice squad.
The Texans initially claimed him off waivers from the Los Angeles Chargers last year and then signed him to a one-year deal this offseason worth up to $2.5 million.
The contract carried a $2 million base, a $300,000 signing bonus, a workout bonus, and performance incentives tied to playing time.
In four regular-season games with Houston last year, Jones recorded three tackles. He added five more, including one for a loss, across two playoff appearances against the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Before joining the Texans, the 6-foot-3, 313-pound lineman had appeared in 56 games with eight starts for the Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, and Chargers.
Across those stops, he totaled 99 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and nine quarterback hits. In eight games with the Chargers he posted 10 tackles, one for a loss, and one pass deflection.
“I believe it’s going to be something great,” Jones said after re-signing with Houston. “I’m grateful and excited to be a part of that. I’m excited to be back. We fell short against New England, but we’re able to build in a short amount of time. You want to be a part of that. Everybody wants to compete and be the best and see other guys be the best. It all flows.”
When Jones first arrived last season, defensive coordinator Matt Burke described the addition as a chance to add a bigger body with recent NFL experience.
Burke noted the team’s preference for rotating players through the defensive line room to install techniques and scheme details quickly. “I think he’s just a good professional NFL defensive tackle,” Burke said at the time.
The Texans had viewed the August release as a difficult roster decision before the regular season began.
Jones’ return provides another experienced option along the interior as Houston continues to manage depth and rotation needs on the defensive line. H
is familiarity with the system and prior contributions in both the regular season and postseason give the staff a known commodity rather than an entirely new evaluation.
Jones’s career path has included multiple short-term stops across the league, a pattern common for interior linemen who supply rotational snaps and special-teams value while waiting for larger roles.
The Texans’ decision to bring him back suggests they still see utility in that skill set within their current defensive structure.
