The Houston Texans did not make any trades at the deadline, but they did make significant roster moves. Most recently, the team signed kicker Matthew Wright following a workout, according to KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson on November 3.
### Texans Sign Journeyman Kicker Matthew Wright
Wright is in his sixth NFL season and the Texans are his eighth organization. His arrival came on what was a busy day around the league, with the Texans having to act quickly. Prior to joining Houston, Wright had stints with several teams, including the Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs (where he won a Super Bowl in 2022), Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans, and Washington Commanders.
This season has been a whirlwind for Wright, as the Texans are his third team after beginning the year with the Titans and Commanders. He also spent the offseason and preseason with the Panthers. Last season was no less transient, as he played for the Steelers, 49ers, Chiefs, and Titans, highlighting his status as a true journeyman.
At 29 years old, Wright is currently 1-for-1 on field goal attempts and 2-for-2 on extra points this season, having appeared in two games for both the Commanders and Titans. His longest field goal this year is 46 yards (while with Tennessee). In 2024, he was 15-for-16 on field goals.
However, Wright’s overall accuracy between 2021 and 2023 hovered at 83.7% on field goal attempts, which ranks as the seventh-lowest percentage among kickers with at least 40 attempts in that span, according to Stathead.
### Texans Face Uncertainty With Ka’imi Fairbairn
Aaron Wilson noted that the Texans signed Wright as a “precautionary measure” amid some uncertainty concerning incumbent kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn.
“#Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn, who hit five field goals Sunday, status is still being determined for #Jaguars game, per source,” Wilson reported on X (formerly Twitter) on November 4. “Working through lower body injury and receiving treatment.”
Fairbairn was unavailable to the media on Sunday and Monday, per a follow-up report from Wilson.
Fairbairn, 31, has connected on 22 of 25 field goal attempts this season and is a perfect 12-for-12 on point-after attempts. He is having a bounce-back campaign in 2024 with an 85.7% field goal success rate. Notably, Fairbairn is signed through the 2026 season on a three-year, $15.5 million contract, which further reinforces that Wright is being kept on hand as an emergency option.
### Texans Navigating Significant Injury Concerns
Fairbairn is just one of several Texans players dealing with injuries heading into Week 10 at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“Among injured #Texans heading into Wednesday practice for banged-up team after physical game against #Broncos: C.J. Stroud, Tytus Howard (concussions), Darrell Taylor (ankle), Christian Harris (shin), Ka’imi Fairbairn (leg),” Aaron Wilson posted on November 4. “Ed Ingram injured knee, but went back in game. Woody Marks said back checked out fine and he went back in game.”
The most critical injury concern is quarterback C.J. Stroud. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said on Monday that Stroud is improving but still faces several hurdles before being cleared to play in Week 10 against the Jaguars, who recently acquired wide receiver Jakobi Meyers at the trade deadline.
The Texans will have a full week of practice to help their injured players recover, which could potentially ease the need for Wright’s services and clarify Stroud’s availability moving forward.
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/houston-texans/wright-trade-deadline-fairbairn-ryans-jaguars/
