On Tuesday evening, the Houston Texans enhanced their practice squad with a new addition. The team, which already boasts a strong offensive lineup centered around emerging quarterback C.J. Stroud, has added more depth and skill to their tight end position by signing former Kansas City Chiefs tight end Irv Smith Jr.
According to NFL reporter Aaron Wilson, Smith will join the Texans’ practice squad.
Smith, a familiar face to Chiefs fans, previously competed for a spot on the Chiefs’ roster as a fourth tight end this offseason. The Chiefs had signed him to a one-year deal as a third veteran tight end to provide depth behind Travis Kelce and Noah Gray. Initially, it seemed Smith might secure the TE3 role, adding a valuable pass-catching option to the team.
However, the competition intensified when the Chiefs selected Jared Wiley from TCU in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Wiley impressed during the offseason, earning the third tight end spot and pushing Smith to the periphery of the roster. Smith’s position became even more precarious when the Chiefs traded with the Dallas Cowboys to acquire Peyton Hendershot, adding a blocking tight end to the mix.
After being released by the Chiefs, Smith auditioned with the Cleveland Browns following the injury to David Njoku, but the Browns opted to sign Geoff Swaim instead. Fortunately for Smith, he didn’t have to wait too long into 2024 to find a new team.
Smith, originally a second-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2019, played his first three seasons in Minnesota before moving to the Cincinnati Bengals in 2023. The Texans now represent his fourth NFL team.
