The Houston Texans have bolstered their defense by signing linebacker E.J. Speed to a one-year, $5 million contract. Speed, who previously played for the Indianapolis Colts, enjoyed a breakout season in 2024, racking up 142 tackles and five pass deflections. With the departure of key players due to injuries, Speed is expected to contribute significantly on both defense and special teams, providing depth behind Christian Harris and Azeez Al-Shaair.

This addition marks the seventh new face on the Texans' defense as they prepare for the upcoming draft, allowing them to focus on offensive needs. Speed's versatility and experience will be vital for a team looking to improve after a challenging previous season.

Coach DeMeco Ryans is focusing on elevating the Houston Texans' performance, particularly their defense, which climbed to sixth in the NFL for yards allowed per game in 2024. Despite allowing slightly more points and touchdowns this season compared to last, the unit showcased significant improvement, particularly against the pass, where they ranked sixth after being 23rd in 2023.

Defensive end Will Anderson Jr. emerged as a key leader for the team in his second season, emphasizing the need for a collective sense of urgency moving forward. Ryans echoed this sentiment, insisting that every player must adopt Anderson's mentality for the team to reach its potential. Evaluations of the defense reveal strong performances from the defensive line, highlighted by Anderson and newcomer Danielle Hunter, who formed the most productive sack duo in the league. The linebackers showed promise but were hampered by injuries, while the secondary improved significantly, led by Derek Stingley Jr.'s breakout season.

The Houston Texans have advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs for the second straight year, following a convincing 32-12 victory against the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round. This win showcased the team's depth and talent, highlighting their improvement as they regained health and rhythm heading into the postseason.

In the latest Texans mailbag, questions from fans focused on player performances and upcoming matchups. A key concern was the limited snaps of linebacker Christian Harris, who played only seven snaps in the recent game. His reduced role was attributed to the return of Azeez Al-Shaair from suspension, leaving Harris lower on the depth chart.

Head Coach DeMeco Ryans emphasized the importance of slowly reintegrating Harris, who missed the majority of the season due to an ankle injury. Despite his reduced playtime, Ryans affirmed Harris's commitment to the team and his readiness to contribute in the playoffs. Looking ahead, fans are curious about the Texans’ rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs and the potential for an impressive defensive showing to secure a win.