The Houston Texans signed inside linebacekr Kyle Emanuel on Tuesday, giving them another body in the middle of their front seven after Pro Bowler Benardrick McKinney was placed on injured reserve pending shoulder surgery.
The San Diego Chargers drafted Emanuel with their fifth-round selection in 2015. The former North Dakota State product spent the next four seasons with the AFC West club, collected 147 combined tackles, 4.0 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits, five pass breakups, two interceptions, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries in 63 games, 32 of which he started.
Emanuel retired after the 2018 season. Although there wasn’t a specific reason given, in his statement released on Twitter, there was a reference to the attrition from injuries.
When Emanuel came out of retirement in August of 2020, the Las Vegas Raiders signed him, and he spent time on the practice squad. The Raiders activated Emanuel ahead of their Week 3 game with the New England Patriots, and he played 14 special teams snaps. However, Las Vegas allowed Emanuel to revert back to the practice squad.
McKinney was out against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 5. During the 30-14 victory, inside linebacker Tyrell Adams played 67 snaps on defense compared to one on special teams. Inside linebacker Nate Hall, who was promoted from the practice squad for the game, played 13 special teams snaps and one defensive snap. Inside linebacker Dylan Cole did not play any defensive snaps, instead playing 12 snaps on special teams.
The Texans may be adding Emanuel to allow Adams to play more defensive snaps and not have to worry about special teams any longer as defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver looks for solutions at inside linebacker opposite of Zach Cunningham.
