Texans reportedly releasing rookie LB Aiden Fisher months after DeMeco Ryans' glowing praise

The Houston Texans used the 243rd pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, their final selection in April, on Indiana linebacker Aiden Fisher. DeMeco Ryans pointed to the rookie's communication before anything else, and Fisher arrived as the signal caller for a national champion and a two-time All-American.

On Saturday, Jordan Schultz reported that the Texans are releasing Fisher and that he will be placed on waivers. The move comes on the eve of a 1-4 Houston team's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium.

"What I liked about Aiden Fisher, you put on the tape and you instantly see a guy who's a great communicator. You see him pointing, talking, directing traffic. That's something you don't see a lot in college football. You can see a guy who's very sharp. He understands the entire defense of how the puzzle fits together. So, a really smart football player, made a ton of plays there in Indiana to lead them to a national championship. I'm excited to add another tough, smart, dependable football player to our team," Ryans said in May.

With the Texans defense breaking down late in games, Ryans took play-calling back from defensive coordinator Matt Burke on Oct. 7.

"I'm going to take over the play-calling for the defense and I'm going to make sure that communication is right. If our guys are saying communication is not right, then ultimately it falls on me. It's on me to get it fixed." Ryans said.

Fisher made the initial 53-man roster in late August as one of six linebackers, but he was inactive for the first game Ryans called, a 26-3 win over the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 11. He leaves Houston with one tackle across three appearances and no starts. 

The coach who drafted Fisher for his voice was holding the call sheet himself by Week 5, and the rookie was in street clothes. A team that sent a 2027 second-round pick to Arizona for Marvin Harrison Jr. is now spending every roster spot on the present, and a seventh-round linebacker who was a Week 5 inactive was the easiest one to free up.