The Houston Texans made two roster changes on Monday afternoon. The team signed defensive lineman Pheldarius Payne to their active roster, while waiving wide receiver Jadon Janke to create space for Payne.
Payne, who went undrafted out of Virginia Tech earlier this year, originally signed with the Texans but was waived before the start of training camp. Now back with the team, Payne will aim to secure a spot on the active roster or practice squad as the Texans prepare to make final roster cuts later this month.
Jadon Janke, like Payne, joined the Texans as an undrafted free agent. He participated in both of the team’s preseason games but was ultimately released to make room for Payne. Janke’s twin brother, Jaxon Janke, also signed with the Texans in the spring. However, Jaxon was released from the team in July.
With these moves, the Texans are continuing to evaluate their roster ahead of the upcoming season. The addition of Payne provides depth to their defensive line, a position that often requires versatility and a strong rotation of players. Meanwhile, the release of Janke reflects the team’s decisions to refine their wide receiver group as they prepare for the final roster cutdown.
As the team approaches the regular season, these adjustments are part of a broader effort to shape the most competitive roster possible. Both Payne and Janke have had brief stints with the Texans, and while Payne remains in the mix, Janke’s departure highlights the competitive nature of training camp battles and the difficult decisions teams must make. The Texans will continue to monitor players’ performances closely as they finalize their roster for the season ahead.
