The Houston Texans have another new player, making three in the past 24 hours, with Caleb Johnson joining the fray.
“#Texans set to sign veteran linebacker Caleb Johnson after successful workout, per a league source. Johnson, the first @HouChristianU #NFL player in school history,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported on X on August 22. “Has 40 career tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, previously #Bears #Jaguars #Falcons #Dolphins”
Johnson, 28, worked out for the Texans earlier Saturday morning.
The quick turnaround is a result of multiple injuries on the Texans’ roster, particularly at linebacker and special teams; Johnson checks both boxes.
Caleb Johnson Beat Former Buccaneers LB for Texans’ Roster Spot
- GettyAntonio Grier was on the Texans’ radar.
Johnson, who has appeared in 67 regular-season games as a pro with the Bears, Dolphins, and Jaguars, but the Texans had eyes on other LBs, too.
“Texans worked out linebacker Antonio Grier, too,” Wilson said, noting all the injuries the Texans have at the position. “Rookie linebacker Wade Woodaz broke his thumb, undergoing surgery Monday, per a source. K.C. Ossai placed on IR today. Jake Hansen working his way back from ankle injury, and E.J. Speed out for season with torn quadriceps tendon.”
Grier, 26, is a former UDFA who has played in seven games in his career, logging 1 total tackle, all with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has also been a special teams contributor in his career, but the Buccaneers waived him with an injury designation in August 2025.
The Texans previously signed Sione Takitaki to replace Speed.
That was amid the issues with Hansen and a brief absence from Jake Hummel, but Takitaki suffered a setback of his own and was released, leaving the Texans to fill the void.
Texans LB Room Remains in Flux
- GettyCaleb Johnson could return to Houston with the Texans.
There was some confusion over Ossai’s status earlier in the day, with the team announcing that he had been placed on injured reserve–which is in fact the case–amid reports that they had actually released the former undrafted free agent.
Speed suffered his injury during the Texans’ offseason program and is on the PUP list.
The Texans saw a glimpse of Woodaz’s playmaking ability before his thumb injury, which they surely hope will not sideline him into the regular season.
The Texans have one more preseason game, against the Carolina Panthers, a week-long break, and then preparations will begin for the regular-season opener against the Buffalo Bills. At this point, they are simply trying to survive the war of attrition until then.
Texans Sign Former Dolphins Linebacker in Roster Tweak