Texans Finalize 53-Man Roster, OT Trent Brown Among Players Released

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By A. Kazmierczak | Last updated Aug 26, 2025 6:37 PM ET

After months of anticipation, the Houston Texans are set to begin the 2025 campaign having trimmed their roster to 53 players on Tuesday.

Offensive lineman Trent Brown, a former Super Bowl Champion with the New England Patriots, was among 28 players either released or waived by the team. Brown, 32, who has been recovering from a torn patellar tendon he suffered last season, is likely to be placed on the team's practice squad according to the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Others cuts on the offensive side of the ball included quarterback Kedon Slovis, running back Jawhar Jordan, fullback Jakob Johnson, wide receivers Qunitez Cephus and Daniel Jackson, and rookie tight end Luke Lachey. Up front, tackles Jaylon Thomas, Conor McDermott and Zach Thomas, guard LaDarius Henderson, and UDFA center Eli Cox were also released.

The move to waive Slovis means the Texans will begin the season with three quarterbacks on their roster - returning starter C.J. Stroud, backup Davis Mills and rookie Graham Mertz, an un-drafted free agent who played his college ball at Wisconsin and Florida.

As expected, veteran running back Joe Mixon (ankle/foot) was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list, ruling him out for at least the first four-games of the season.

Nick Chubb, who signed a one-year deal with Texans in June, will likely start at running back, followed by Dameon Pierce, Dare Ogunbowale, rookie Woody Marks and British Brooks. Led by Nico Collins, Houston is keeping seven wide receivers including two-time Super Bowl Champion Justin Watson and Braxton Berrios, both offseason acquisitions.

On the defensive side, nickel Myles Bryant and safety Jalen Mills were among the players released. Both cuts were a little surprising given Bryant and Mills' experience. The team also waived cornerback Damon Arnette, a former first-round pick by the Los Vegas Raiders who was attempting a comeback after three-years away from the NFL.

Front seven cuts included defensive ends Casey Toohill and Solomon Byrd, defensive tackles Haggai Ndubuisi and Junior Tafuna, and linebackers Nick Niemann, Jackson Woodard and K.C. Ossai.

A number of players were also placed on reserve. Notables included rookie safety Jaylen Reed, who was placed on the reserve/designated to return list. Tight ends Brevin Jordan and Irv Smith Jr. were placed on the injured reserve list, while defensive end Denico Autry and defensive tackle Kurt Hinish joined Tank Dell on the PUP list.

Due to ongoing legal issues, the NFL placed veteran Texans safety Jimmie Ward on the Commissioner Exempt List. He will not be able to practice or attend games while on the list.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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