Lions Claim S Jalen Mills Off Waivers From Texans, Among Two Moves

Detroit also waived TE Hayden Rucci in a corresponding move. 

Mills, 31, is a former seventh-round pick of the Eagles back in 2016. He played out the final year of his four-year, $2.58 million contract and tested the open market as an unrestricted free agent in 2020. 

The Eagles brought Mills back on a one-year contract worth up to $5 million. He was once again an unrestricted free agent in 2021 when he agreed to a four-year, $24 million deal with the Patriots. 

New England re-signed Mills last year and converted him back to safety. He signed another one-year deal with the Giants this offseason but was released during the season and caught on with the Jets.

Mills signed with Houston this offseason following a successful workout and returned to the practice squad after being let go following camp. He’s bounced on and off the Texans’ P-squad this season. 

In 2025, Mills has appeared in four games for the Texans and recorded four total tackles.