The Houston Texans will place Tashaun Gipson on the injured reserve before the start of the playoffs.
In a bittersweet move, the Houston Texans have activated J.J. Watt to the active roster in exchange for Tashaun Gipson being placed on the injured reserve for the rest of the season. The Texans were expected to bring Watt back to the 53 man roster after he was placed on the IR with a pectoral muscle injury he suffered in Week 8 against the Oakland Raiders.
The Texans and Watt are rolling the dice with him returning to football activities earlier than expected from his injury. However, losing Gipson is an unexpected hit to the Texans defense, with him playing a pivotal role in the secondary. Gipson played a significant role in his first year in Houston after signing a four-year deal in the offseason.
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The secondary will not only lose one of their starting safeties but their leader in interceptions with three. According to Aaron of the Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the Texans were cautious with Gipson after he was dealing with a back injury that forced him to miss two games this season.
Gipson re-aggravated his back injury and suffered a broken wrist that ultimately led him to miss the upcoming playoff game against the Buffalo Bills. Gipson finished the season with 51 tackles, eight passes defended, and three interceptions.
The Texans will be moving forward with Justin Reid, Jahleel Addae, A.J. Moore, and Mike Adams on the roster. Addae is expected to take over Gipson’s spot in the secondary after he was the starter in his two-game absence.
With four safeties currently on the roster, it isn’t out of the question the Texans make another move and add another safety to the roster with Jonathan Owens on the practice squad.