ARLINGTON – Texans veteran defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr. is expected to be activated to the 53-man roster Monday to play and possibly start against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night, according to league sources.
Edwards was reinstated by the NFL from the reserve-suspended list last week after serving a four-game punishment for a violation of the NFL substance-abuse policy, a punishment that was handed down the same day that veteran defensive lineman Denico Autry was officially reinstated from a six-game suspension for a performance-enhancing drug policy violation.
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The Texans later made this move official while also activating cornerback Jeff Okudah, a former Detroit Lions first-round draft pick and Grand Prairie native, from injured reserve-designated for return. Okudah has made a full recovery from a quadriceps injury and has been practicing for the past few weeks. The Texans released backup corner Myles Bryant and reserve running back J.J. Taylor. For the second game in a row, defensive tackle Tommy Togiai is elevated from the practice squad.
Texans defensive lineman Denico Autry suspended for six games for PED violation (click2houston.com)
Edwards’ return follows the Texans being granted a one-week roster exemption.
Edwards practiced all week and is ready to go.
Losing Edwards, 30, represented a blow to the Texans’ defense as he started every game before the NFL discipline.
Edwards had played extremely well before the suspension, recording 18 tackles, two sacks, two tackles for losses and five quarterback hits. For his career, he has 174 tackles, 30 tackles for losses, 23 1/2 sacks and 57 quarterback hits.
Edwards had eight tackles against the New England Patriots.
As the replacement for Autry, who has since returned and started against the Detroit Lions with Pro Bowl defensive end Will Anderson Jr. out with a high ankle sprain, Edwards was counted on heavily to make up for his loss of productivity.
The Texans liked the way Edwards was playing before the suspension.
“Mario has been disruptive all camp, and I wouldn’t have expected anything different from him,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said previously. “He showed up, playing on their side of the line of scrimmage and being disruptive. That’s what we need from all our guys up front. I’m very pleased what Mario did.”
With a reputation for his ability to line up on the edge of the defense or as an interior rusher, Edwards has been drawing strong reviews from the coaching staff.
When Edwards signed with the Texans, he had ambitions to start. Signed to a one-year, $2 million deal that includes a $200,000 signing bonus with $500,000 total guaranteed with a $1.21 million salary with $300,000 of it guaranteed for skill, injury and salary cap, plus another $350,000 available in playtime incentives.
Edwards, 30, played for the Seattle Seahawks last season. The Gautier, Mississippi native has also played for the New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans.
With the Titans in 2022, he had three sacks and 11 quarterback hits. He had a career-high four sacks in 2020 with the Bears.
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Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com
