The Houston Texans continue to rack up postseason recognition, with two more young defenders earning a trip to the Pro Bowl Games. On Monday, the NFL announced that cornerback Kamari Lassiter and safety Calen Bullock have been added to the AFC roster as replacements - a well-earned nod for two rising stars in one of the league’s most improved defenses.
Both Lassiter and Bullock were initially named first alternates, but now step into the spotlight. Lassiter replaces New England’s Christian Gonzalez, who’s unavailable after the Patriots clinched the AFC title. Bullock takes the place of Steelers safety Jalen Ramsey.
That brings the Texans’ Pro Bowl contingent to six players - a testament to just how far this defense has come. Lassiter and Bullock join Derek Stingley Jr., Nico Collins, Azeez Al-Shaair, and Will Anderson Jr. on the AFC squad, giving Houston a strong presence in this year’s showcase.
Let’s talk about why these two earned their spots.
Kamari Lassiter was a steady force all season long. His 91 tackles speak to his physicality and willingness to get involved in the run game, but it’s the ball production that really jumps out - four interceptions and 17 passes defensed.
Those are elite numbers for any corner, especially one in his first Pro Bowl campaign. Lassiter didn’t just hold his own on the outside - he made quarterbacks think twice about throwing his way.
Then there’s Calen Bullock, who brought range and playmaking to the back end of Houston’s defense. He picked off four passes during the regular season and added another in the playoffs, showing a knack for big moments. Add in 64 tackles, a forced fumble, and 10 passes defensed, and you’ve got a safety who impacted the game at all three levels.
Together, they were part of a unit that finished sixth in the league in pass defense and ranked No. 1 overall in total defense - a staggering leap for a team that wasn’t on many radars before the season. Their emergence helped transform the Texans into one of the AFC’s toughest outs.
For Lassiter and Bullock, the Pro Bowl isn’t just a reward - it’s a signal that the league is taking notice. And for the Texans, it’s another sign that the foundation being built in Houston is real, and it’s built on defense.