The Houston Texans have elevated George Odum from their practice squad for the team’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. It is the veteran safety and special teams player’s second call-up this season, leaving Houston with one more elevation available under the current arrangement.
Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 reported Sept. 19 that the Texans were bringing Odum back after he played 71% of the team’s special teams snaps against Buffalo and made one tackle. Houston lost that game 36-31. Caleb Bullock and Reed Blankenship are healthy, but the team is adding Odum for his special teams role. Head coach DeMeco Ryans previously praised Odum’s playmaking during the preseason.
Odum is in his ninth NFL season and has played for the Indianapolis Colts and San Francisco 49ers, earning one All-Pro honor with each team. The report listed 205 career tackles, while another listing showed 209. Both listed three interceptions, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries; the latter also showed 12 starts in 109 games.
Pro Football Focus ranked him 26th among 29 Houston special teams players against Buffalo, while noting that its overall grade does not reflect performance in each individual phase. After Cincinnati, Houston is scheduled to play Indianapolis in Week 3, potentially making that Odum’s final elevation before a 53-man roster move or another option would be needed.
