Texans Sign Defensive Tackle Naquan Jones Off the 49ers' Practice Squad - a Familiar Face for the Run Defense

HOUSTON - The Texans are signing defensive tackle Naquan Jones to the active roster off the San Francisco 49ers' practice squad, according to a report by KPRC 2's Aaron Wilson carried by NFLTradeRumors on Monday. It is a reunion: Houston claimed Jones late in the 2025 season, re-signed him to a one-year deal in 2026, and cut him in August before his route back led through two more practice squads.

Jones, 28, has taken the long way around the league. He went undrafted out of Michigan State in April 2021 and signed a rookie contract with Tennessee, which waived him out of the preseason, re-signed him to its practice squad and later promoted him to the active roster. The Titans re-signed him as an exclusive-rights free agent in 2023 and waived him that November; he caught on with Arizona, was cut in the 2024 preseason, joined Miami's practice squad and was signed back by the Cardinals.

The Houston chapter began with a one-year deal with the Chargers ahead of the 2025 season: waived late that year, he was claimed by the Texans, re-signed for 2026 and cut in August. He spent time on Minnesota's practice squad, then San Francisco signed him to its active roster earlier this season, let him go in October and re-signed him to its practice squad. In 2026 he has appeared in three games for the 49ers and recorded two total tackles.

Signing a player off another club's practice squad carries a roster commitment - Jones joins Houston's active roster, not its practice squad - which is what makes a Monday move for interior depth a statement about need rather than curiosity. The Texans get a tackle who already knows their building; Jones gets the active-roster spot that has eluded him at four stops this year.