Former Houston Texans players on Super Bowl rosters
Like many NFL teams, the Houston Texans have former players participating in the Super Bowl. Players from both sides of the ball have made the trip to Minnesota to play for their respective teams. There are former Texans who are appear on both the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots.
Brian Hoyer
Brian Hoyer is Tom Brady’s backup on the Patriots. Hoyer spent one season in Houston leading the Texans to a 5-4 record. Hoyer’s relatively unspectacular performance in the playoffs led to the 30-0 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2015. In a way Hoyer was the first domino to fall in what eventually led to the Texans drafting Deshaun Watson. Hoyer was disastrous which led to signing Brock Osweiler which led to drafting Watson. Barring an injury to Brady, Hoyer is not expected to see the field at all on Sunday.
Brandon Brooks
Brandon Brooks is the starting right guard for the Philadelphia Eagles. Brooks has started all 16 games this season and has been essential to the Eagles success. Pro Football Focus ranks Brooks as the fourth-best guard with a grade of high quality. Brooks spent his first four seasons with the Texans. Appearing in six games a rookie and then starting 44 games over the next three seasons.
Eric Lee
Eric Lee did not appear in a single game as a member of the Houston Texans. Lee spent the 2016 season on the practice squad. Lee was waived by the Texans in September of 2017. Buffalo signed Lee and he spent a few weeks on their roster. The Patriots signed Lee of the Bills practice squad and has become and integral part of the Patriots defense. Lee has started five of the six games he has appeared in tallying up 19 total tackles, three and a half sacks and one interception. It is hard to doubt the Texans from moving on from him since he is experiencing success in New England. Many players come to New England and thrive. Lee is just one of the latest names to add to that list.
Donnie Jones
Donnie Jones spent only one season in a Houston Texans uniform. Jones has spend the past five seasons as the punter of the Philadelphia Eagles. Many kickers and punters change teams frequently, it is just how the NFL works. In fact Jones has also spent one season in Seattle in 2004 and two seasons in Miami from 2005-2006. From 2007-2011 Jones was with the then St. Louis Rams before coming to Houston. Moving on from a punter is by far the most excusable roster decision. Especially considering his replacement in Houston is Shane Lechler.