HOUSTON – Jaylen Reed waited a long time for an expanded role on defense.
Eleven games into the season, the Texans’ rookie safety made an impact during a Thursday night victory over the Buffalo Bills.
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Although the sixth-round draft pick from Penn State didn’t get the start, he played the majority of the defensive snaps and led the Texans with a team-high and game-high 11 tackles. He recovered a key fumble forced by safety Calen Bullock during a 23-19 win.
“I was just prepared to go in at any moment,” Reed told KPRC 2. “That’s something I’ve been prepared to do since a couple weeks ago. Just when my number is called, just go out and show up.”
Reed played 55 snaps on defense, 77 percent of the defensive playing time. He had eight solo tackles on defense and one on special teams.
Perhaps he’ll emerge as a regular starter opposite Bullock in the wake of M.J. Stewart’s season-ending torn quadriceps tendon. He is now listed first on the Texans’ unofficial depth charge.
“Jaylen stepped in and he plays swarm football,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He was see ball, get ball. He’s flying around, making plays, of course, some things to clean up, but I’m encouraged with what he did. Being that it was a short week, he didn’t get a ton of preparation.
“He didn’t get any live reps, so for him to go in and do as good of a job as he did in that game, I’m excited for him to continue to progress and continue growing. [Safeties] Coach Stephen [Adegoke] has done a really nice job of working with Jaylen while he’s been out. So, the more he gets, I expect him to be even better for us.”
Reed played a large role in a key win for the Texans, who improved to 6-5 for their first winning record of the season.
“For sure, we needed that win,” Reed said. “We needed to get over the hump. We were 5-5. We needed that win. We’ve got a tough stretch coming up in the next few games, so we needed a win. That was a good win that we needed.”
Reed missed the opening of the season on injured reserve with a sprained knee in training camp.
Signed to a four-year, $4.95 million contract that includes a $243,800 signing bonus. Reed is a 6-foot, 211-pound second-team All-Big Ten Conference selection.
Reed intercepted three passes last season and recorded 98 tackles with three passes defensed and one forced fumble. Two seasons ago, he had 46 tackles and two interceptions.
The Texans have overcome an 0-3 start to climb into playoff contention.
“Just staying together, we’re one unit,” Reed said. “I know we’re one unit. We all go out together. We play hard. We just got to keep working hard. It’s time to work.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com
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