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Ryans 'Excited' to Add Sanders

Originally posted on Houston Texans on SI
By Coty M. Davis | Last updated 10/23/23

The Houston Texans returned from their bye week Monday morning to host their first practice at the Houston Methodist Training Center. In attendance for his first official day was pass-rusher Myjai Sanders.

The Texans claimed Sanders off waivers Wednesday afternoon. Sanders' arrival in Houston comes a year after the Arizona Cardinals made him a third-round pick during the 2022 NFL Draft. He only appeared in 13 games. But Sanders' short time in Arizona proved he embodies coach DeMeco Ryans' SWARM defensive mentality.

"Myjai is a young pass-rusher we wanted to add," Ryans said. "We wanted to give him another chance to see what he can bring to our unit. We will see throughout the week how Myjai will get adjusted to what we do. I am excited to add him to our team."

Ryans said he has liked Sanders since he came out as a draft prospect from Cincinnati. At the time, Ryans was the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers.

Sanders finished his rookie season with 23 tackles, 3.0 sacks, one fumble recovery and a forced fumble. He also added 17 total pressures and 13 hurries. Sanders may not have fallen out of Arizona's rotation this season if not for a thumb injury sustained during training camp.

A change of scenery could help Sanders re-establish himself as a promising pass-rusher and the piece who can elevate the Texans' defensive line with 11 games left. Houston has recorded nine sacks through six games despite registering 49 pressures and 22 quarterback hits.

During the Texans' Week 6 victory over the New Orleans Saints, Houston registered 23 pressures against quarterback Derek Carr but only came away with two sacks, recorded by Jonathan Greenard and Maliek Collins.

Rookie Will Anderson Jr. accounted for eight pressures and two hurries against the Saints. But the former Alabama pass-rusher missed a pair of sacks in the win.

This article first appeared on Houston Texans on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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