Texans release one-time Super Bowl champ, place him on practice squad

With the Texans working their way back toward a healthy roster, some depth pieces and injury replacements are going to find themselves fighting for a roster spot. This appears to be the case with defensive end Derek Rivers, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2.

In this still very young 2023 NFL season, Rivers has already been signed to the active roster three times. The first time he found himself waived two weeks into the regular season. The one-time Super Bowl champ found his way back to the Texans’ practice squad before getting called back up to the active roster three days later. His second stint on the 53-man roster would last a little more than a week before he was released again and re-signed to the practice squad a day later.

Rivers’ most recent trip through the revolving door started two days ago. This time he didn’t even last the week before the announcement today that he will be released and re-signed to the team’s practice squad. This time, though, the move doesn’t appear to be a part of his normal revolutions.

Houston recently designated both punter Cameron Johnston and offensive tackle Tytus Howard to return from injured reserve, opening the 21-day window for each player to return to the active roster from IR. If either is to make a return soon, a spot will need to be opened up on the roster. So, Rivers’ shortest stay on the active roster yet could be attributed to one of those players making a comeback this season.