The Houston Texans, Detroit Lions, and San Francisco 49ers were all in need of help on the defensive side of the ball after suffering some key injuries. So, all three teams brought in veteran players off of the street to help fill the void. Houston and Detroit focused on beefing up their wounded front seven, while the 49ers addressed their secondary.
Texans add help after losing pass rushers
In Sunday night's loss to the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs, the Houston Texans saw their top two pass rushers, JJ Watt and Whitney Merclius, go down in the first quarter. It was revealed the following day that both would miss the rest of the season due to their injuries.
Now, the team brought in some fresh veteran bodies to replace them. IndyStar reporter Stephen Holder reporter that Kendall Langford signed with the team. The 31-year-old is a nine-year veteran who has started 113 games for the Dolphins, Rams, and Colts. For his career, he has 290 total tackles, 22.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles.
It was also reported by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport that the team brought on Lamarr Houston. The 30-year-old has played seven seasons for the Raiders and Bears, starting in 70 games. For his career, he has 284 total tackles, 25.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles.
NEWS: Former #Colts DL Kendall Langford just signed w #Texans, I'm told. Houston looking for help after Watt and Mercilus injuries.
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) October 11, 2017
The #Texans have agreed to terms with pass-rusher Lamarr Houston, source said. Some help with Whitney Mercilus out for the season.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 11, 2017
Lions beef up defensive line
ESPN's Adam Scheffer reported that the Detroit Lions signed Datone Jones and Caraun Reid since starting defensive tackle Haloti Ngata was placed on injured reserve.
Jones was picked in the first round by the Packers in 2013. In four seasons he has played in 59 games but only started seven of them, recording 80 total tackles and nine sacks. He signed with the Vikings this offseason but was released in early September.
Reid was drafted by the Lions in the fifth round of the 2014 draft and spent two seasons with the team before playing for the Chargers last season.
He tore his ACL midway through last year but is now healthy and back with his original team. In three seasons, he played in 33 games with 12 starts, amassing 36 tackles and three sacks.
Lions signed former Packers DE Datone Jones, as well as DT Caraun Reid.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 11, 2017
The #Lions placed veteran DL Haloti Ngata (elbow) on Injured Reserve, knocking him out for 8 weeks, at least.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 11, 2017
49ers sign veteran to boost secondary
Leon Hall's agent -- Doug Hendrickson -- was the first to report that his client had signed with the San Francisco 49ers.
The team needed help at cornerback since they lost Ahkello Witherspoon to a concussion and Asa Jackson to a hamstring injury in last week's game.
The 32-year-old was selected in the first-round by the Bengals in 2007 and had played for them for his entire career before spending last season with the Giants. He has played in 133 games in his career and started 107 of them. Hall has racked up 502 total tackles, 27 interceptions, and three defensive touchdowns.
Welcome to the Bay Area Leon Hall!
— Doug Hendrickson (@DHendrickson41) October 10, 2017