Former Houston Texans DL Denico Autry Expected to Retire After 12 NFL Seasons

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Veteran defensive lineman Denico Autry is expected to retire from the NFL after 12 seasons, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC. While Autry has not officially announced his decision, the longtime defensive lineman remained unsigned after becoming a free agent when his contract with the Houston Texans expired following the 2025 season.

Autry carved out one of the NFL's more remarkable careers as an undrafted free agent, developing into one of the league's most versatile defensive linemen. Over 12 seasons with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, and Houston Texans, he totaled 331 tackles, 65.5 sacks, 117 quarterback hits, 35 passes defended, and eight forced fumbles.

Valuable "Big End" for the Texans

Although Autry spent just two seasons in Houston, he played an important role in DeMeco Ryans' defensive front.

The Texans frequently utilized Autry as a "big end," allowing him to line up both on the edge and reduce inside to defensive tackle in passing situations. His combination of size, length, and versatility made him an ideal fit for Houston's attack style defense, giving the coaching staff flexibility to create favorable pass-rushing matchups.

Beyond his pass-rushing ability, Autry consistently found ways to impact games with his length. He had a knack for disrupting passing lanes by batting down throws at the line of scrimmage and established himself as one of the NFL's premier special teams playmakers.

During Houston's 2024 win over the Denver Broncos, Autry blocked another kick, giving him 13 career blocked kicks, tying Hall of Famer Julius Peppers for the second-most by any NFL player since 1991.

"Junk Yard Dog"

General manager Nick Caserio once described Autry as a "junk yard dog," praising the veteran's toughness and competitive mentality.

Caserio went as far as saying Autry was the type of player "you'd want with you in an alley," a testament to the physical, relentless style of play that defined his career.

That mentality helped make Autry a respected veteran presence in every locker room he joined, including Houston's young defensive line.

Texans Have Already Replaced His Role

Houston appeared to prepare for Autry's departure this offseason by signing former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman Logan Hall.

Like Autry, Hall offers versatility to line up both inside and outside, making him a natural fit for the same "big end" role within DeMeco Ryans' defense. While Hall is younger and possesses a different athletic profile, the Texans will hope he can provide a similar blend of positional flexibility and disruptive play.

An Undrafted Success Story

Autry entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2014 and went on to enjoy a career few could have predicted.

He spent four seasons with the Raiders before becoming one of the Colts' top defensive linemen, later adding productive stops with the Titans and Texans. Throughout his career, Autry consistently generated pressure, defended passes with his length, blocked kicks on special teams, and proved capable of playing virtually anywhere along the defensive front.

If this indeed marks the end of his playing career, Autry leaves behind one of the league's best undrafted success stories and a reputation as one of the NFL's toughest, most versatile defensive linemen.