Teagan Quitoriano, a tight end for the Houston Texans, was waived with an injury settlement on Wednesday, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. The move follows a calf injury that initially placed Quitoriano on the Texans’ injured reserve (IR) list, which would have kept him sidelined for the entire 2024 NFL season. However, by reaching this injury settlement, Quitoriano now has the opportunity to play again this season once he proves his health and secures a contract with another team.
Quitoriano, a former Oregon State standout, was drafted by the Texans in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Known for his blocking ability as well as his potential as a pass-catcher, Quitoriano was seen as a developmental prospect who could contribute in multiple facets of the game. His role with the Texans during his rookie season was primarily as a backup tight end, where he showed flashes of his talent, particularly in run blocking. He also caught a couple of touchdown passes, demonstrating his versatility and potential to grow into a larger role in the future.
Unfortunately, Quitoriano’s progress was halted by the calf injury that occurred during the offseason, leading to his placement on injured reserve. Under normal circumstances, being placed on IR would have prevented him from playing at all in 2024, as the Texans would have retained his rights but not allowed him to return to the active roster. However, by negotiating an injury settlement, both Quitoriano and the Texans agreed to part ways, giving him the opportunity to rehabilitate and seek a new contract once he is medically cleared to play.
Injury settlements are common in the NFL when teams and players decide to part ways following an injury. The settlement provides compensation to the player for the period of time he is expected to miss due to injury, but it also allows the player to pursue opportunities with other teams once he is healthy. For Quitoriano, this means that although his time with the Texans has ended, he can still find a spot on another NFL roster later in the season, provided he recovers fully and passes a physical.
The injury settlement process also benefits the Texans by opening up a roster spot while freeing them from the obligation of carrying Quitoriano on IR for the entire season. This move allows Houston to focus on other tight end options and roster needs as they prepare for the upcoming campaign.
For Quitoriano, the next steps are crucial. He will need to focus on recovering from his calf injury and proving his physical readiness to potential suitors. While he is no longer a part of the Texans’ plans, his skill set—particularly as a strong blocking tight end with pass-catching potential—could make him an appealing option for teams in need of depth at the position. Once he regains his health, Quitoriano could find himself back on the field, either in a backup or rotational role, depending on which team gives him the opportunity.
This injury settlement offers Quitoriano a second chance to play in 2024, and his future in the NFL will depend on how quickly he can bounce back and demonstrate his abilities to prospective teams.
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