The Houston Texans are calling up Irv Smith Jr. for the remainder of the 2024 season.
The Texans elected to sign the veteran tight end to the active roster following two standout games as a member of the practice squad, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The tight end has become a position of need with Cade Stover’s recent medical concern. Last week, Stover had to undergo emergency appendectomy surgery the night before the Miami game and has yet to recover.
We have signed Irv Smith Jr. to the active roster from the practice squad and made other roster moves. pic.twitter.com/fdShGqZLP0
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 20, 2024
Smith, who’s served as a quality blocker in his place, now should take over as the long-term answer until Stover is healthy. It’s expected the rookie will miss the next two games, but could be cleared to return before the team’s season finale against the Tennessee Titans.
For his career, Smith has 109 career receptions in the NFL for 973 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Last season with the Cincinnati Bengals, he caught 18 passes for 115 yards and one touchdown last season in 12 games.
A second-round pick out of the University of Alabama, Smith’s best season came during his rookie campaign with the Minnesota Vikings. He caught a career-high 36 passes for 311 yards. The following season, he finished with a career-best 365 yards and five touchdowns in 2020 for Minnesota.
Kickoff from Arrowhead is scheduled for noon CT. The game will be nationally televised on NBC.
