HOUSTON – The Texans are elevating safety Jalen Mills and cornerback Ajani Carter is being signed to the 53-man roster, per sources.
The Texans later made this move official along with waiving running back Dameon Pierce, elevating linebacker Jackson Woodard and signed cornerback Damon Arnette Jr. to the practice squad, which was previously reported.
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A former fourth-round draft pick and Pro Bowl alternate as a rookie, Pierce’s role has declined in recent years. He had fallen on the depth chart behind Woody Marks, Nick Chubb and Dare Ogunbowale.
Pierce has rushed for 26 yards on 10 carries this season. He rushed for 1,674 yards and eight touchdowns in four seasons for the Texans, including 939 yards and four scores as a rookie. However, he dipped to 416 yards and two scores in 2023. He was replaced as a starter by Joe Mixon last season and backed him up, rushing for 293 yards and two scores. This season, he only played in four games.
Jalen Pitre is out for a Thursday night game against the Buffalo Bills with a concussion.
Mills may wind up playing a lot at safety with Myles Bryant filling in for Pitre at nickel.
Mills was elevated for a game against the Tennessee Titans last Sunday and recorded two tackles while appearing in 40 snaps for 68 percent participation in a 16-13 road win.
Mills, 31, is a Dallas native who played collegiately at LSU. He played last season for the New York Giants and New York Jets.
He won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles and then played three seasons for the New England Patriots.
A former first-team All-American, Mills has recorded 452 career tackles and eight interceptions. This is his second elevation of the season.
Carter is a former University of Houston and North Shore player who went undrafted and signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. He played 20 snaps on special teams against Tennessee for 74 percent participation.
A Utah State transfer, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound former all-district wide receiver tied for third on the Coogs last year with three pass breakups and allowed one or no catches in six games. He played 453 snaps, 360 on defense and 92 on special teams.
At Utah State, he intercepted four passes overall.
He had 33 catches for 495 yards and seven touchdowns i n high school on a state championship squad, beating Duncanville as part of a 16-0 season. He also played baseball and ran track.