Former Chiefs pass catcher joins Texans immediately ahead of Week 16 matchup

The Chiefs will face the Houston Texans in just under 24 hours. However, the Texans just added a former Chiefs player to their roster.

According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC Houston, the Texans have added tight end Irv Smith Jr. to their 53-man roster.

Smith Jr. was drafted by the Vikings in 2019. During his first two seasons in Minnesota, Smith Jr. recorded 66 catches for 676 yards and seven touchdowns. Unfortunately, Smith Jr. was forced to miss the entire 2021 season due to a torn meniscus.

Since returning from that injury, Smith Jr. hasn’t been as productive in the passing game. In 2022, Smith Jr.’s final season with the Vikings, he recorded just 25 catches for 182 yards and two touchdowns. After that season, Smith Jr. entered free agency and signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.

As a Bengal, Smith Jr. recorded 18 catches for 115 yards and a touchdown on 44% snap percentage. Even though Smith Jr.’s receiving stats haven’t been great since the injury, he has proven to be a solid blocker, so his snap percentage was still quite high.

Before joining the Texans earlier this season, Smith Jr. spent the 2024 preseason with the Chiefs. Still, the Chiefs decided to part ways with Smith Jr. before the season because of Travis Kelce and Noah Gray.

Gray’s emergence this year has been amazing for Kansas City and its offense. He has already set career highs in receptions (37), receiving yards (420) and touchdowns (5).

While no one in Kansas City wishes Smith Jr. no harm, everyone is hoping he doesn’t have a big game on Saturday. Smith will be TE2 for the Texans behind Dalton Schultz.

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