LAS VEGAS — While the Houston Texans won’t be suiting up for Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday at Alligent Stadium, fans will remember a few names from their time at NRG Stadium.
Safety Justin Reid ( Kansas City Chiefs), safety Tashaun Gipson and receiver Chris Conley (San Francisco 49ers) will duke it out for a shot at the Lombardi Trophy beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Reid was a steal for the Texans in the third round of the 2018 draft out of Stanford. He started four seasons, helping Houston make the postseason in 2018 and 19.
The Texans hoped to retain Reid after the 2021 season, after back-to-back losing seasons, he took off for Kansas City, signing a three-year, $31.5 million contract with the Chiefs as a free agent in 2022.
Last season, Reid was influential in helping Kansas City win its second title under Andy Reid, recording seven tackles and a pass breakup. A year later, he’s been just as consistent, notching 77 tackles, three sacks, an interception and a forced fumble this season.
Gipson signed a three-year, $22.5 million with the Texans in 2019 after a two-year stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He failed to live up to the billing after lackluster player and eventually was released.
He rebounded with the Chicago Bears before returning to Pro Bowl-caliber form in the Bay. In 16 games, he totaled 60 tackles and an interception.
Perhaps the biggest play of his career came in the NFC Championship where Gibson forced a fumble to help the 49ers complete the comeback over the Detroit Lions.
Conley signed as a free agent in 2021 after six seasons between Kansas City and Jacksonville. Chiefs and two with the Jaguars. He hauled in 22 passes for 323 yards and two touchdowns in his season before being released after two games in 2022.
He played in eight games for the 49ers this season. His biggest play came against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional where his 17-yard catch set up a field goal from Jake Moody.
Former Texans defensive end Charles Omenihu is a member of the Chiefs but won’t play Sunday after tearing his ACL in the AFC Championship Game. It’s a shame after a quality season serving as Kansas City’s No. 3 pass-rusher.
After serving a six-game suspension, Omenihu returned with vengeance, Omenihu recorded seven sacks in 11 games. Prior to leaving due to injury, the former Texas star delivered a critical sack on MVP Lamar Jackson in the AFC title game before suffering his injury.
The Texans finished the regular season with a 10-7 record, securing their first division title since 2019.
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