The Houston Texans have announced a new signing to their roster. Head coach DeMeco Ryans will get a former first-round pick to work with from now on. While C.J. Stroud enters his third year in the NFL, the team wants to bolster not only the offense but the defense too. Hence, the AFC South champions are giving this new player a second chance in the league.
Damon Arnette was drafted 19th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders. The cornerback started seven games during his rookie season and didn’t quite live up to the expectations of a first rounder. He allowed a 78.1 completion percentage on passes where he was targeted. He also allowed a 106.9 rate to opposing quarterbacks.
On 2025, he only played four games, none of which he started before being cut. Not only was he being a liability on the field, but he had plenty of incidents outside of it. He was on the Chiefs practice squad in 2022 but was cut after being arrested for assault with a deadly weapon.
This might be the second and final chance for Arnette in the NFL
At 28 years old, Arnette is not a great statistical player by any means. In fact, he might be catalogued as a bust. The former Ohio State Buckeye hasn’t delivered on the field. However, his off-field shenanigans are even more concerning.
Cornerback Damon Arnette #20 of the Las Vegas Raiders smiles as he walks off the field after the team’s 20-7 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in a preseason game at Allegiant Stadium on August 14, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
After playing in the UFL for the Houston Roughnecks, the Texans are giving him another shot in the NFL. While Arnette won’t be a starter, he will serve as a rotational piece on Ryans‘ defense.
see also
C.J. Stroud teammate looking for second-year jump after great NFL rookie season with the Texans
The Texans have high expectations for the 2025 season
While the Texans are in cruise control of the AFC South, getting to the Super Bowl is a whole other thing. In the NFL Playoffs, you have to get over teams like the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, or Kansas City Chiefs.
That’s the next step for Houston, to be able to fight and beat those teams. After all, the team has to take advantage that C.J. Stroud is still on his rookie contract. Once he gets the extension, the ability to surround him with highly-talented players will become more and more difficult.
