Texans Bringing Back Naquan Jones: Needed Help for the Run Defense
The Texans are bringing back a familiar defensive tackle at a position where they needed help. KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reports that Houston is signing Naquan Jones from the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad after releasing him in August.
I like the move. I was surprised Houston let Jones go in the first place, and the need for another option against the run has become harder to ignore. His return also comes with a familiar matchup ahead: the Texans visit the Chargers, another of his former teams, on November 8.
Why the interior needed another option
I’ve been harping on Houston giving Kayden McDonald more opportunities to help stop the run. That concern hasn’t changed with Jones coming back. The Texans need more dependable early-down play inside, and adding another body who can compete for those snaps makes sense.
My biggest concern with Sheldon Rankins has been his consistency against the run on early downs. In my recent film review, I pointed out how often those reps have hurt Houston. The issue is what happens before the pass rush can become a factor: when the interior gives ground or a gap opens, the offense gets a manageable next down and the defense loses the advantage it wants.
That doesn’t mean Rankins never makes a good play. I also highlighted him recognizing and avoiding a wham block and he's an aging player that should phasing into a pass rush specialist. The question is whether Houston can get the run defense to hold up consistently enough across a full game. One good rep doesn’t erase the concern, just as one bad rep doesn’t explain the entire defense.
Jones gives Houston another option in that rotation. The hope is that he can hold his ground inside, keep running lanes tighter and help the linebackers get to the ball without having to fight through free blockers. That is the role I want this addition to address; the signing alone doesn’t guarantee the results. I also expect this spells bad news for Jaden Crumedy's role and/or spot on this roster.
Jones should complement McDonald
Bringing Jones back shouldn’t mean abandoning McDonald’s development. I still want to see the Texans use McDonald more in situations where stopping the run is the priority. Jones can share that workload and give Houston another choice when deciding which interior combinations fit a particular down or opponent.
McDonald has things to clean up, too. I pointed out a Giants touchdown rep where he was moved off his spot. Wanting more opportunities for him isn’t the same as saying every rep has been good. The aim should be a stronger rotation, with enough options that Houston can respond when a matchup isn’t working or simply having depth.
There is still a collective responsibility here. Defensive tackles have to control their space, edges have to handle their assignments, and the second level has to fit and finish. Jones can help address the personnel side of the problem, but he can’t fix every missed assignment or tackle by himself.
A familiar return before facing the Chargers
Houston claimed Jones off waivers from Los Angeles on December 9, 2025. He later appeared in the Texans’ 20-16 win over the Chargers that December. Now he is coming back with another trip to Los Angeles next on Houston’s schedule. There is a little déjà vu in that timing.
The familiarity with Houston matters more to me than the reunion storyline. Jones has already spent time in this defense, which should make the transition more straightforward than it would be for a player learning everything for the first time. His exact role and game-day availability still need to be established.
I welcomed the news on X because this was a move I wanted to see. Houston needed help inside. Jones gives the Texans another chance to improve the early-down rotation while continuing to develop McDonald. Now that needs to show up in the run defense.
Blessan or Stressan⁉️
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