E.J. Speed: Everything you need to know

Speed and the Texans agreed to a two-year, $13 million contract Saturday that includes $7.5 million guaranteed, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Speed joined the Texans on a one-year deal in March of 2025 after spending the first six years of his NFL career with the Colts. His new deal Saturday includes a $4 million signing bonus and ensures that he'll stick around in Houston for the foreseeable future. Speed finished the 2025 regular season with 62 tackles (33 solo) and one pass defense over 16 games, which broke his streak of 100-tackle seasons at two.

Speed recorded 62 tackles (33 solo) and one pass defensed over 16 regular-season games in 2025. Speed's first season in Houston looked nothing like the trend he established in his final two years with Indianapolis, for whom he posted 102 and 142 tackles in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Houston's top-ranked defense operated mostly out of the nickel, which naturally limits at least one linebacker. Defensive back Jalen Pitre, who brings the physicality of a linebacker, gave the Texans more flexibility at the expense of Speed's playing time. The linebacker played 50 percent or fewer of the defensive snaps in 10 of 16 games. He'll become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason.

Speed (knee) has no injury designation heading into Sunday's matchup against the Raiders. Speed upgraded to full participation in practice Friday and is now ready to go Sunday against the Raiders after missing Week 15 with an ankle injury. The 30-year-old has 47 tackles (28 solo) and one pass breakup in 13 games this season.