The Houston Texans let Jordan Akins go.
The Texans drafted the third-round tight end from Central Florida in 2018, but allowed the 6-4, 243-pounder to walk in 2022 free agency. The New York Giants were the suitor that took Akins, but dropped him while making final roster cuts at the end of preseason.
Houston had no problem bringing Akins back on Aug. 31 as a practice squad signee, and the 30-year-old has had a good attitude about starting off from the bottom.
“Coming back is an honor,” Akins told reporters Oct. 25. “To be back with my brothers and compete and go to work with my soldiers. Any time my jersey is called to make a play, I try to do the best I can whether it’s special teams or offense. Any way I can contribute.”
Akins was inactive for the first two games of the season, but was active for the Texans’ Week 3 tilt at the Chicago Bears. Akins caught three passes for 31 yards and a touchdown in the 23-20 letdown.
In the last four games, Akins has found his way on the game day roster and has been productive. Akins provided Houston with 10 catches for 154 yards and a score.
The way Akins sees it, the chemistry that he established with quarterback Davis Mills never subsided, even though he spent the entire 2022 offseason, training camp, and preseason trying to forge a connection with Daniel Jones in New York.
Said Akins: “We’re just picking up where we left off at. More repetitions for the tight ends to run down the seams, in the flats, as well as inside the hashes. I think we’re connecting pretty well.”
Akins was one of Mills’ big targets in the 38-20 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7 as he hauled in three catches for a season-high 68 yards.
As the Texans continue to figure out what works in the passing game, Akins appears to be an element that Mills can count on.