Ex-Detroit Lions defensive tackle Benito Jones could join a playoff contender in the AFC.
According to the NFL transaction wire, Jones tried out for the Houston Texans on Monday. Jones was one of two defensive tackles to work out for Houston at the tryout, the other being fellow veteran Daniel Ekuale.
Jones joined the Lions as a waiver wire claim from the Miami Dolphins after the 2022 roster deadline in August. He spent that entire season on the team’s active roster, playing in 17 games.
Then in 2023, Jones started 15 contests, posting 26 combined tackles, including three for loss. The defensive tackle then returned to the Dolphins the following season.
From 2020-25, Jones has posted 83 combined tackles and 3.5 sacks in 71 games for the Lions and Dolphins.
Ex-Lions Starter Benito Jones Tries Out for Texans
Jones started 15 games again for the Dolphins in 2024. He appeared in 14 contests for Miami last season, starting eight of them.
This offseason, Jones signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in May. The Raiders, though, waived Jones in the middle of August two weeks before the roster deadline. He hasn’t joined another team since then yet.
The 28-year-old began his career as an undrafted free agent for the Dolphins in 2020. Jones didn’t make the roster for the team at the roster deadline in August, but the Dolphins brought him back on their practice squad two days later.
As a rookie, he appeared in six games, posting two combined tackles. In 2021, he remained on the Miami practice squad, but Jones didn’t get an opportunity to play in a regular season contest.
After Jones didn’t make the Dolphins roster again at the August deadline in 2022, he then received his opportunity with the Lions.
Over 34 games with the Lions, Jones posted 42 combined tackles, including three for loss. He also registered 10 quarterback hits, 2.5 sacks and two pass defenses.
Jones last appeared in the NFL regular season during Week 16 last year.
Jones Seeking Next NFL Chance
Jones hasn’t been on an NFL roster for more than a month. But he hasn’t given up trying to find a new role in the league.
The 28-year-old could provide some experienced depth to any defensive line, particularly a contender. His starting experience with the Lions came during the team’s first playoff season under head coach Dan Campbell.
Jones didn’t start any of the team’s playoff games, but he appeared in three postseason contests in January 2024. He had one combined tackle in those three games.
The Texans are possibly in the defensive tackle market after beginning this year 0-2. They were a playoff team last season, though, after going 0-3 to start 2025. The Lions will not face the Texans this season.
In addition to the tackles and sacks, Jones also has 14 quarterback hits, 10 tackles for loss and three pass defenses in his career.
Former Lions Starting DT Gets Opportunity With AFC Contender