The Houston Texans are keeping their options open, and that could lead them to former Dallas Cowboys running back Deuce Vaughn, who was one of four running backs (and an equal number of defensive backs) to work out for the team on Sunday.
“Texans … tried out several RBs & DBs,” Texans Truth Serum’s Jayson Braddock posted on X on August 23, including screenshots of the official wire transactions.
In addition to Vaughn, Blake Watson, Jordan Mims, and T.J. Harden all worked out in Houston.
They also tried out several RBs & DBs
Deuce Vaughn Among Texans’ RB Workouts
GettyCowboys RB Deuce Vaughn is on the Texans’ radar
The Texans are dealing with injuries to backup runners British Brooks, Jawhar Jordan, Joshua Pitsenberger, and Noah Whittington. Pitsenberger is on injured reserve. That has left the Texans thin behind David Montgomery and Woody Marks.
They also have former Tampa Bay Buccaneers find Owen Wright, who has mostly been a special teams contributor in his career.
Notably, Vaughn essentially took Watson’s place on the Denver Broncos in 2025.
The Texans hope to have a stronger rushing attack this coming season, and that remains on track since Montgomery and Marks are healthy. But Montgomery is an older back, while Marks battled some injury turbulence as a rookie in 2025.
Texans Targeting Backfield Depth
GettyJordan Mims could bolster the Texans’ depth.
It is clear that the Texans are solely eyeing depth options and, most likely, special teams contributors with this batch of workouts, including Vaughn.
Vaughn has played in 14 regular season games in his career so far, and none since Week 18 of the 2024 regular season with the Cowboys. He has 110 yards on 40 carries and another 58 yards on 10 receptions so far.
Mims also has 14 games of regular-season experience.
He posted a 20-70-0 line as a runner and also has 12 catches for 71 yards in games played for the New Orleans Saints and Tennessee Titans.
Watson is the least experienced of the bunch, though all but Vaughn are former college free agents. Watson has 10 rushing yards on four carries and a 1-13-0 line as a receiver in his two regular-season contests.
Texans Move on Former Falcons DB
GettyFormer Oregon and Atlanta Falcons DB Tysheem Johnson garnered attention from the Texans.
Aside from Vaughn and the other backs, the Texans’ exploration of defensive backs led to George Odum signing, beating out Tre Hawkins and Hudson Clark–all of which was previously reported-but also Tysheem Johnson.
Johnson is formerly of the Atlanta Falcons.
He has yet to appear in a regular-season tilt, but is another example of the wide net the Texans are casting to sort through their injury woes.
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