Resilience Shown in Recent Signings by the Houston Texans

As the Houston Texans navigate a critical stretch of their playoff-contending season, their recent roster signings have emerged as a powerful testament to the team’s resilience—turning injuries, positional gaps, and late-season challenges into opportunities to strengthen their lineup. Over the past three weeks, the Texans have added three key players: veteran defensive end Mario Addison, offensive lineman Justin McCray, and cornerback Kaleb Chalmers—each addressing a pressing need that could have derailed their postseason hopes. These signings aren’t just transactional; they reflect the Texans’ proactive mindset, their ability to identify underutilized talent, and their commitment to competing despite adversity. For a team that started 3-13 just one season ago, this resilience through roster building has become a defining trait of their 2028 turnaround. Resilience Shown in Recent Signings by the Houston Texans breaks down how each addition has fortified the team, the stories behind the signings, and why they exemplify the Texans’ never-quit attitude.

The most impactful of these resilient signings is Mario Addison, a 13-year NFL veteran brought in to revitalize the Texans’ struggling pass rush. Entering Week 14, the Texans had recorded just 3 sacks in their previous three games, and defensive end Jonathan Greenard was sidelined with a hamstring injury—leaving a gaping hole in their ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks. Addison, who was released by the Buffalo Bills in early December after posting 2 sacks in 12 games, was seen by many as a “depth signing” at best. But the Texans saw more: his 67.5 career sacks, his experience in playoff races, and his ability to play both defensive end spots. In his first two games with the Texans, Addison proved his value: he recorded 1 sack, 3 quarterback pressures, and helped boost the team’s overall sack rate from 5.2% to 7.8%. “Mario didn’t come here to just collect a paycheck—he came to win,” said Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke. “He’s been a leader in the locker room, staying late to work with young pass-rushers and sharing film insights. That’s the kind of resilience we need right now.” Resilience Shown in Recent Signings by the Houston Texans frames Addison’s signing as a masterclass in turning a potential weakness into a strength, using experience to fuel late-season success.

Equally reflective of the Texans’ resilience is the signing of Justin McCray, a versatile offensive lineman added to address injuries along the front. In Week 15, starting right tackle Tytus Howard suffered a knee sprain that landed him on Injured Reserve, and backup Charlie Heck—though capable—lacked proven depth behind him. The Texans needed a player who could step in at tackle or guard, understand their zone-blocking scheme, and provide stability in both run and pass protection. McCray, a 7-year veteran who had spent time on the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad this season, fit the bill: he had played 46 career games (18 starts) at multiple positions and had experience in zone-based offenses from his time with the Green Bay Packers. In his first week with the Texans, McCray impressed coaches with his quick grasp of the playbook, earning a spot on the game-day active roster for the team’s Week 16 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Though he didn’t start, he played 12 snaps at guard in relief, helping the Texans rush for 142 yards and 2 touchdowns. “Justin’s ability to step in and contribute without missing a beat is a testament to his work ethic—and our team’s resilience,” said offensive line coach Chris Strausser. “We didn’t panic when Tytus got hurt; we found a player who could keep our offense moving, and that’s exactly what he’s done.” Resilience Shown in Recent Signings by the Houston Texans explores how McCray’s addition kept the Texans’ offensive momentum alive amid a critical injury.

For the Houston Texans, the signing of Kaleb Chalmers—a young cornerback brought in to shore up secondary depth—highlights their resilience in developing under-the-radar talent. After cornerback Steven Nelson suffered a hamstring injury in Week 15, the Texans were thin at nickel cornerback, with only rookie Derek Stingley Jr. and veteran Shaquill Griffin as proven options. Chalmers, an undrafted free agent out of Louisiana Tech, had spent training camp with the Texans earlier this year before being waived and later joining the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad. The Texans kept tabs on him, impressed by his speed (4.42 40-yard dash) and ball skills (10 career interceptions in college), and saw an opportunity to bring back a player who already knew their defensive system. Since signing, Chalmers has worked closely with secondary coach D’Anton Lynn, refining his coverage techniques and learning the nuances of the Texans’ zone schemes. Though he hasn’t played in a game yet, he’s been elevated to the active roster as a backup, providing insurance in case of another injury. “Bringing Kaleb back wasn’t just about filling a spot—it was about trusting a player we’d already evaluated and giving him a second chance to contribute,” said head coach DeMeco Ryans. For the Houston Texans, this signing reflects their resilience in building depth through familiarity, avoiding the need to overpay for unproven talent and instead leaning on players who align with their culture. Resilience Shown in Recent Signings by the Houston Texans emphasizes how Chalmers’ return is a small but meaningful example of the team’s ability to adapt and plan ahead.

Another layer of the Texans’ resilience in recent signings is their focus on team fit over short-term stats, prioritizing players who buy into their culture of hard work and accountability. When evaluating Addison, McCray, and Chalmers, the Texans’ front office—led by general manager Nick Caserio—didn’t just look at on-field production; they spoke to former coaches and teammates to assess work ethic, locker room presence, and ability to handle pressure. Addison, for example, was praised by Bills coach Sean McDermott for his “professionalism and leadership,” while McCray’s former Packers teammates highlighted his “willingness to do whatever the team needs.” This focus on character has paid off: all three signings have integrated seamlessly into the Texans’ locker room, with Addison even hosting a team dinner for defensive players to build camaraderie. “Resilience isn’t just about winning games—it’s about building a team that supports each other through tough times,” Caserio said. “When we sign a player, we’re not just adding talent—we’re adding someone who will lift up the guys around them.” For the Houston Texans, this cultural alignment has made their recent signings more effective than just X’s and O’s; it’s created a cohesive unit that’s better equipped to overcome late-season challenges. Resilience Shown in Recent Signings by the Houston Texans examines how prioritizing fit over flash has turned these signings into catalysts for team unity.

Finally, the Texans’ recent signings are a reflection of their broader resilience as an organization—moving from a rebuild to a playoff contender in just one season by making smart, adaptive choices. A year ago, the Texans were a team in disarray, with a losing record, no clear direction, and a roster lacking depth. Today, they’re 9-6, holding a wild-card spot, and using signings like Addison, McCray, and Chalmers to address gaps without sacrificing their long-term plan. These moves aren’t desperate attempts to win now; they’re calculated decisions that balance immediate needs with future flexibility—Addison and McCray are on one-year deals, and Chalmers is a young player with room to grow. “Resilience is about learning from the past and building for the future,” Ryans said. “We didn’t forget what it was like to lose 13 games, but we also didn’t let that define us. These signings are proof that we’re building something sustainable—something that will keep us competitive for years.” For the Houston Texans, this resilience through roster building is just as important as their on-field wins; it’s a sign that the organization has turned a corner, and that their success in 2028 is no fluke. Resilience Shown in Recent Signings by the Houston Texans concludes by noting that while injuries and challenges will always be part of the NFL, the Texans have proven they have the resilience to overcome them—one smart signing at a time. As they head into their final regular-season game against the Colts, these additions will be key to their playoff hopes, and a reminder of how far they’ve come.