DETROIT – The Texans signed former Miami Dolphins long snapper Blake Ferguson on Wednesday and released veteran reserve tight end Tre’ McKitty.
Why? Ferguson was signed to snap in a joint practice Thursday and a preseason game Saturday against the Detroit Lions.
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Rookie long snapper Austin Brinkman, the replacement for former Pro Bowl long snapper Jon Weeks, is dealing with a minor, short-term injury and there is optimism he will return in time for a season-opener against the Los Angeles Rams, per a league source.
Ferguson, 28, joined the Dolphins as a sixth-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft. In five years with the team he played in 72 consecutive games before landing on the non-football illness list early in the 2024 season. He was released in May.
The Texans like what what they’ve seen from Brinkman.
Weeks signed with the San Francisco 49ers this offseason, ending a golden era as the longest-tenured player in franchise history.
The Texans signed Brinkman, a standout at the collegiate level for five years and an academic All-Big 12 Conference selection as a reliable special-teams fixture for the West Virginia Mountaineer, to take over for Weeks.
Brinkman’s three-year rookie deal includes $110,000 guaranteed.
“We’re excited to have Brinkman,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Anytime you have a rookie at the long snapper position, there’s some growing pains that comes with that. But Brinkman has the temperament, he has the skill set to step in and do a great job. First things first is to have great snaps and that’s what he’s done. He’s been very consistent with his snaps.
“So, really pleased with Brinkman. I’m excited to see him get some action in the game so he can knock the rust off a little bit. It’s a little different when the games come, but I think he’ll do a really good job for us.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com