The Houston Texans have agreed to sign Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Denico Autry, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL media.
It’s a two-year, $20 million deal that features $10.5 million in guaranteed money.
Autry is coming off of a spectacular 2023 campaign in which he played every game and racked up 50 tackles, 11.5 sacks, a couple of forced fumbles and four passes defended.
The 33-year-old, who played his collegiate football at Mississippi State, went undrafted but eventually landed with the Oakland Raiders in 2014.
Autry spent the first four years of his career with the Raiders, with his best season coming in his final one with the club in 2017, when he registered 36 tackles, five sacks and seven passes defended.
After his time in Oakland, Autry joined the Indianapolis Colts, where he would proceed to spend the next four seasons.
Autry enjoyed a breakout campaign of sorts during his first year with the Colts, as he totaled 37 tackles, nine sacks, a couple of forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 2018. He would go on to have two more solid seasons in Indianapolis before linking up with the Titans in 2021.
It was in Tennessee where Autry truly flourished, posting his best three-year run to date.
He tallied 31 tackles, nine sacks and six passes defended during his debut campaign with the Titans, and the following year, he recorded 27 tackles, eight sacks and a pair of forced fumbles.
Of course, it remains to be seen if Autry can continue that level of production in Houston, particularly given the fact that he will be 34 years old at the start of next season.
But, the Texans needed some help along their defensive front, and now, they’ve gotten it. All while stripping a division rival in the process.
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