Ex-Jets draft bust Chad Hansen has career day in Texans debut

Former Jets wide receiver and 2017 fourth-round pick Chad Hansen shines in his first regular-season game in nearly three years

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If you didn’t know Chad Hansen was on the Texans or still in the league, the wide receiver made his presence known with authority on Sunday.

The Jets’ former fourth-round pick had an afternoon to remember for the Texans on Sunday. In Houston’s 26-20 loss against the Colts in Week 13, Hansen had a career-high 101 yards on five catches.

With the Texans’ receiving core decimated by injuries and suspensions, Hansen was called up from Houston’s practice squad.

“Man, you know, it’s been a journey,” Hansen said, per the Houston Chronicle. “I haven’t played meaningful football in two and a half, three years. Just being able to go out there and perform, it was just a blessing and just kind of speaks to staying ready. It’s a crazy business. I mean, with Will [Fuller] going down, it’s next man up.”

The fourth-year receiver out of Cal has bounced around since his short tenure in New York. Hansen spent the 2017 season on New York’s active roster as a rookie. He caught 9 of 17 targets for 94 yards in 15 games, making just one start. In 2018, Hansen was a surprise cut at the end of training camp. From there, he bounced around from practice squad to practice squad, spending time with the Patriots, Titans and Broncos.

Hansen was picked up by the Saints and quickly waived before landing in Houston, where he’s been since 2019. Sunday marked the first time Hansen played in a regular-season game in nearly three years. It was well worth the wait for the former Jet.