Texans’ Secondary Depth Tested - Could Justin Simmons Be the Answer?
On paper, the Houston Texans’ defense looks like one of the most complete units in the NFL. DeMeco Ryans and defensive coordinator Matt Burke have built a group that flies to the ball, communicates at a high level, and ranks among the league’s best in most key categories. But as we head into the final stretch of the season, cracks are starting to show - not in performance, but in depth.
Injuries have taken a toll. C.J.
Gardner-Johnson barely had time to unpack before his stint with the Texans was over. MJ Stewart and Jaylin Smith are both on injured reserve.
Jimmie Ward remains sidelined, dealing with a mix of injury and off-field issues. And now Jaylen Reed has been ruled out for Sunday.
That’s a lot of experience and versatility off the field.
Yes, the Texans still have a core in the secondary that most teams would envy. Derek Stingley Jr. is playing like the shutdown corner he was drafted to be.
Kamari Lassiter has been a steady presence. Jalen Pitre continues to be a playmaker at safety, and rookie Calen Bullock shows flashes of high-end potential.
But even with that group, the margin for error is shrinking fast - especially if Houston wants to make a serious playoff push.
Enter Justin Simmons.
The four-time All-Pro safety hasn’t played a snap this season, last seen patrolling the back end for the Atlanta Falcons in 2024. But Simmons is just 32 years old and not far removed from a six-year stretch (2018-2023) where he was one of the most complete safeties in the game.
Ball skills, range, leadership - Simmons checked every box. And now, with the Texans thin at safety and looking to reinforce a playoff-caliber defense, the timing might be just right.
Simmons hasn’t committed to a return, but he certainly didn’t close the door when asked about the possibility of joining Houston. Speaking with Kay Adams, Simmons lit up at the idea of playing under DeMeco Ryans.
"That would be awesome," Simmons said. "I think it would be game-changing to play for DeMeco.
I've heard nothing but great things. That would be a dream to be able to go with Houston.
Right now, there's not much talk, but that could change now that they're back in the mix and hoping to make a run, so we'll see."
That’s not just a polite answer - that’s a veteran who’s clearly intrigued by the idea of joining a contender with a defensive-minded head coach and a system that could use exactly what he brings.
Simmons’ versatility is what makes this potential fit so interesting. He’s not just a centerfielder who waits for the ball to come to him.
He’s the kind of safety you can move around like a chess piece - deep zone, box, slot, even the occasional blitz. That’s something Burke hasn’t done much with Calen Bullock, who’s been used more traditionally.
Simmons, though, could give this defense a new layer of disguise and flexibility.
And let’s not forget the leadership factor. This is a young Texans secondary.
Stingley, Lassiter, Bullock - they’ve got talent, but they’re still developing. Adding someone like Simmons, even late in the season, could provide a stabilizing presence, both on the field and in the locker room.
Of course, there are questions. Simmons hasn’t played all year - what kind of shape is he in?
How quickly could he get up to speed in a new system? And would the Texans be willing to make room on the roster and in the cap for a veteran addition this late in the year?
But if Houston is serious about making a deep postseason run - and make no mistake, they’re in that conversation - then adding a proven difference-maker like Simmons might be the kind of move that elevates a good defense into a great one.
The Texans are already tough to score on. With Simmons in the mix? They might become downright dangerous.