The Houston Texans announced one roster move before their AFC Divisional Playoff game against the New England Patriots, and the volume drew as much attention as the decision on which player they selected.
Houston added to head coach DeMeco Ryans and defensive coordinator Matt Burke’s defense.
They turned to a familiar face, who finished the regular season with the organization and is getting the nod even as they appear to face bigger questions elsewhere on the roster.
Texans Shake Up Roster With Veteran D-Lineman
GettyLeki Fotu #95 of the Las Vegas Raiders on the sidelines during a game against the Tennessee Titans.
“#Texans elevate defensive tackle Leki Fotu again,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported in a post on X on January 17, beating Houston to the punch on the roster move announcement. “He has provided stout presence inside for playoff team.”
The Texans announced the move shortly thereafter.
The Arizona Cardinals selected Fotu in the fourth round with the No. 114 overall pick of the 2020 draft. He has also played for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Fotu initially signed with the Texans on December 23, and he got his first call-up three days later to face the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17. The Texans also called Fotu up to the active roster for their regular-season finale against the Indianapolis Colts.
They turned to him again in the Wild Card Round against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Fotu, 27, logged 2 total tackles in the regular season and 1 in the postseason in his three total games with the Texans so far.
He, along with fellow veteran in-season pickup Naquan Jones, has helped the Texans shore up a group that lost starter Tim Settle Jr. and backup Mario Edwards Jr. Still, his being the Texans’ only roster move was telling.
Texans Turning to Former Patriots Draft Pick to Replace Nico Collins
GettyBraxton Berrios #17 of the Houston Texans runs the ball against the Minnesota Vikings
The roster move for Fotu does not address the Texans’ being without two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins, who will miss this game due to a concussion suffered against the Steelers.
The Texans have another plan for that.
“Down two receivers (Nico Collins and Justin Watson) due to concussions, team is expected to have Braxton Berrios active Sunday vs. #Patriots per a league source,” Wilson noted in a follow-up post. “Berrios traveled with team for AFC divisional round playoff game.”
Berrios, 30, was a sixth-round pick by the Patriots, taken 210th overall during the 2018 draft cycle.
He missed his rookie season on injured reserve and never played for the organization.
The Patriots waived Berrios in 2019, and he signed with the New York Jets, spending four seasons there before moving on to the Miami Dolphins. After two seasons in South Beach, Berrios signed with the Texans’ 53-man roster in free agency during the 2025 offseason.
However, he played in just four games, finishing the regular season with six receptions for 37 yards on eight targets. He has not played since Week 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Patriots Clear All-Pro for Texans Game
Winslow Townson/GettyChristian Gonzalez #0 of the New England Patriots smiles during training camp.
While the Texans overcome injuries like Collins and Watson’s, the Patriots’ roster got a significant boost.
The Patriots cleared 2024 Pro Bowl and Second Team All-Pro cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
Gonzalez would have provided a stiff challenge for Collins. Now, he will focus on less imposing and/or experienced options, such as veteran Christian Kirk and rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel.
The Texans went 2-0 in games without Collins during the regular season in a campaign featuring a wide range of roster adjustments.
Neither one of those contests was against a team like this version of the Patriots, though.
Texans Make Telling Roster Adjustment Before Facing Patriots