Tag: Amari Rodgers

Former Packers WR Amari Rodgers catches first TD pass in second game with Texans

Amari Rodgers didn’t have a touchdown in 26 career games with the Packers, but the 2021 third-round pick caught one in his second game with the Texans on Sunday.

The first career touchdown for Amari Rodgers, a third-round pick of the Green Bay Packers in 2021, came Sunday as a member of the Houston Texans.

Rodgers caught a 28-yard touchdown pass from Jeff Driskell on 2nd-and-11 in the second quarter of Sunday’s showdown with the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.

The score came on an extended play as Driskell rolled to his right. Rodgers made the touchdown catch in traffic between two Cowboys defenders.

The Packers released Rodgers on Nov. 15 after his fifth fumble of the season. He was claimed by the Texans a day later.

Rodgers, the 85th pick in 2021, played in 26 career games with the Packers but did not have a touchdown. He did catch a touchdown pass during the preseason in 2022.

Here’s Rodgers’ first career regular-season touchdown:

Rodgers made his debut with the Texans last week, playing 17 snaps on offense without a target.

Rodgers caught eight passes for 95 yards and rushed one time for 11 yards while with the Packers. He returned 40 punts and 17 kickoffs.

At halftime on Sunday, Rodgers has two catches for 35 yards and one rush for three yards. He does not return punts or kicks for Houston. Rodgers and the the Texans lead the Cowboys, 20-17.

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WATCH: Texans QB Jeff Driskel throws TD pass to WR Amari Rodgers against the Cowboys

Houston Texans quarterback Jeff Driskel threw a touchdown pass to receiver Amari Rodgers against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14.

The Houston Texans haven’t made it look easy, but they have been effective.

With 2:30 to go in the second quarter trailing 14-10 against the Dallas Cowboys, quarterback Jeff Driskel rolled out to the right side and at the last second heaved a 28-yard pass for receiver Amari Rodgers, who caught his first career touchdown pass.

The touchdown, along with the ensuing extra point, provided Houston the chance to pull ahead of the Cowboys 17-14 with the ensuing extra point from kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn.

The Texans’ touchdown was setup by an interception hauled in by cornerback Tremon Smith. Both of Houston’s touchdowns were the result of takeaways.

 

Pep Hamilton gives update on Texans’ newly-acquired offensive talent

Hamilton gave an update on the status of Eno Benjamin and Amari Rodgers in his comments to reporters on Thursday

The Houston Texans claimed running back Eno Benjamin and receiver Amari Rodgers off waivers in late November, and hopes were high that they would be able to make a difference in the team’s offense with some time to adjust to Pep Hamilton’s system. After weeks spent on the Texans’ inactive list on Sundays, reporters were ready for answers from Hamilton on Thursday regarding their status and whether they might see the field before the season ends.

The offensive coordinator gave both players credit for their effort in getting acclimated to his system but made a point to be noncommittal about playing time in his response.

“Both guys have worked tirelessly to learn our offense and get on the same page with our quarterbacks,” Hamilton explained. “You guys understand how important it is that the quarterback can trust that the receiver is going to get to a spot and vice versa, the receivers can trust that the quarterback can make the appropriate throws. The more time our guys spend together, the more time on task they have, the better chances we have to go out and play efficient football. Those two guys have been working hard in practice.”

Hamilton’s assertion that it takes time to build chemistry is certainly valid, though fans and reporters are justified in wondering why the team would claim Benjamin and Rodgers if they have no intention of getting them onto the field. Houston is in dire need of new blood at both the running back and receiver positions after seeing their offense stagnate in recent weeks, and especially since newly minted starting quarterback Kyle Allen has struggled in his first action of the season.

The Texans’ coaching staff is certainly entitled to utilize the talent at their disposal however they choose, but with time running out in a failed 2022 campaign, it seems that the time is now for them to see what they’ve got in the valuable prospects.

Frank Ross gives update on Amari Rodgers

Frank Ross seems to like what he has seen from the #Texans’ newly acquired receiver

The Houston Texans haven’t used the highly anticipated prospects that they claimed off waivers a few weeks ago, but that doesn’t mean that their chance to prove what they can do for the team has passed. Eno Benjamin and Amari Rodgers have been waiting in the wings for an opportunity to shine, and as the season winds to a close, one would think that they’d see their first action in the coming weeks.

Special teams coordinator Frank Ross updated the media on Rodgers’ status ahead of the Texans’ matchup against the Browns on Sunday. Though he didn’t commit to using Rodgers in the game, Ross seemed optimistic about his development under his tutelage.

“[He is] good, continuing to work every single day working under our techniques,” Ross told reporters When you have a new player, you’re anxious to hear what he’s been coached beforehand, what his habits are and what we can do whether it’s to improve or to emphasize something he’s been doing in the past. He’ll be ready when he gets his chance.”

Houston needs all the help they can get to secure their second win of the season in this week’s tilt, and if Rodgers ends up seeing his first snaps in a Texans’ uniform, it will be because the coaching staff sees his abilities as an edge against their more established opponent.

Rodgers was a big-time prospect when he came out of college last season, and has shown flashes of his potential in the limited action he has seen at the pro level. Without a chance to show what kind of skillset he will bring to the Texans’ offense and special teams units, the team won’t be able to fully evaluate his fit in their system ahead of the rebuild they will undertake in the coming offseason.

Texans special teams coordinator Frank Ross in awe of Amari Rodgers’ athleticism

Ross told reporters on Wednesday that Rodgers’ athleticism could push him onto the field for the #Texans’ Week 12 matchup

The Houston Texans may have found a gem in second-year wide receiver Amari Rodgers, who was acquired by the team via the waiver system last week. After finding himself on the outs with the Green Bay Packers the former third-round pick was in need of a fresh start, and Houston was more than happy to take a literal waiver on his services.

An interesting development has been the speculation around Rodgers’ use in the Texans’ system. Instead of relying on him to catch passes, it seems the team is more inclined to start him as a returner on special teams. The unit’s coordinator, Frank Ross, spoke to reporters on Wednesday about how thrilled he is to have Rodgers in the mix and was clearly excited about the new weapon he has at his disposal.

“Kind of what we said before. You have a new body added to the roster, good athletic skill set,” Ross said of Rodgers. “We’ll integrate everybody into the scheme and our roles that we see them fitting in. Relative to whoever is available at the game, we’re going to use that player to our advantage.”

While Rodgers may take some time to actually see the field for Houston, it isn’t out of the question that he could carve himself a niche on the special teams unit with solid production through the end of the season. Given the Texans’ 1-8-1 record, anything is on the table for the team in terms of personnel changes, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if he starts getting repetitions as soon as he and the coaching staff feel he is ready to make an impact.

Rodgers has the potential to be one of the more significant mid-season additions to Houston’s roster, and at this point, all he needs is a chance to show what he can do for their minimal investment to start paying major dividends.

Texans announce inactives for Week 11 tilt vs. Commanders

Among the #Texans’ notable inactives were rookie cornerback Derek Stingley, running back Eno Benjamin, and wide receiver Amari Rodgers

The Houston Texans announced their inactives ahead of their Week 11 matchup against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, and the list included a few key players whose absence could determine their fate. Rookie cornerback Derek Stingley was listed among the players who will not participate in the tile, along with newly signed running back Eno Benjamin and former third-round pick Amari Rodgers, who were added to the Texans roster this week via waivers.

Check out the complete list of players here:

Others who will be held out of this week’s action are tight end Brevin Jordan, linebacker Neville Hewitt, defensive lineman Thomas Booker, and offensive lineman Austin Deculus. These players will have to wait for Houston’s next game against the Miami Dolphins in Week 12 to get their next opportunity to see the field.

The most impactful loss this week is clearly Stingley, who has put together a solid 2022 campaign for the Texans in his rookie season. In his absence, Houston’s secondary is likely to struggle against the Commanders’ impressive cast of offensive skill position players who can take the top off of the defense on any play.

It is less surprising that Benjamin and Rodgers were listed as inactive, though fans certainly would’ve enjoyed a peek at the new talent that the Texans acquired. Benjamin would have a hard time getting enough snaps to would warrant his inclusion given rookie Dameon Pierce’s usage as the team’s bell-cow back, and with star receivers Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins back in the mix, Rodgers would’ve likely been buried on the depth chart.

Houston is the underdog in this matchup after Washington managed to knock off the then-undefeated Philadelphia Eagles last week, and for good reason. The Texans will need to put together a truly special performance to even come close to securing their second win of the season in Week 11.

Frank Ross ready to coach new receiver Amari Rodgers on his special teams unit

Rodgers was a third-round pick in the 2021 draft and was claimed by the #Texans after being waived by the #Packers earlier this week.

When the Houston Texans signed wide receiver Amari Rodgers this week, few thought that their special teams coordinator would have much to say about his inclusion on the team’s roster. However, Frank Ross broke the mold on Thursday, telling reporters that he is looking forward to coaching Rogers up as part of his unit, especially in light of some mistakes that the young receiver made as part of the Green Bay Packers.

Asked about the challenge of ensuring that Rodgers doesn’t become a liability on punt and kickoff returns, Ross made it clear that he sees it as his job to correct any issues the second-year receiver might have, and form him into a consistent contributor for the team by the end of the season.

“Any player that gets added to the roster is going to have strengths and weaknesses,” Ross explained. “No matter where they come from, they have different training history that they’ve used. Got to integrate everybody onto our roster and start, whether it’s fundamentals or schematically, getting him up to speed in our techniques and things we’re asking him to do.

“Trying to improve every single person on our roster whatever it is. You’ve got to sweep the corners of your skillset and make whatever your strengths are stronger and your weaknesses, make sure those are cleaned up. Any challenges whatever it is, we’ll find a way to make each player better as best we can.”

Rodgers has found himself moved from one struggling franchise to another following the Texans’ decision to claim him on Wednesday. He was a highly-touted prospect in last year’s draft as a third-round pick from Clemson but has struggled to live up to the promise shown on his college film to this point in his career.

If he is able to make an impact in Houston through the rest of the year, watch for Rodgers to play a key role in the Texans’ looming rebuild in 2023.

Former Clemson WR reportedly claimed by new NFL team

After being cut by an NFL team on Tuesday, a former Clemson wide receiver has reportedly been claimed by another NFL team just a day later. The Houston Texans have claimed Amari Rodgers, according to reports. Rodgers was released by the Green Bay …

After being cut by an NFL team on Tuesday, a former Clemson wide receiver has reportedly been claimed by another NFL team just a day later.

The Houston Texans have claimed Amari Rodgers, according to reports.

Rodgers was released by the Green Bay Packers on Tuesday.

Green Bay traded up to draft Rodgers in the third round (85th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Rodgers had eight receptions for 95 yards, one rush for 11 yards, 40 punt returns for 305 yards and 17 kickoff returns for 321 yards over 26 games across the 2021-22 seasons. He fumbled seven times, including five this year and one of those on a punt return in the Packers’ most recent game against the Dallas Cowboys.

The Knoxville, Tenn., native concluded his Clemson career (2017-20) with 181 career receptions for 2,144 yards and 15 receiving touchdowns over 55 career games (37 starts). He was also credited with 68 career punt returns for 529 yards (7.8 avg.) including a punt return touchdown.

–Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

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Report: Texans claim former Packers WR Amari Rodgers

The Houston Texans claimed former Green Bay Packers receiver Amari Rodgers.

The Houston Texans are continuing to find ways to expand their receiving corps despite their 1-7-1 record.

According to D.J. Bien-Aime from ESPN, the Texans claimed former Green Bay Packers wideout Amari Rodgers on Wednesday.

Rodgers, 23, saw just eight special teams snaps and six offensive snaps last week in the Packers’ 31-28 overtime thriller against the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field. Rodgers had just two punt returns for 13 yards and lost his only fumble of the game.

A former 2021 third-round pick from Clemson, Rodgers tallied eight catches for 95 yards for the Packers through 26 games, one of which he started.

As a returner, Rodgers has a 7.6 yards per punt return average and an 18.9 kickoff return average.

Packers Wire managing editor Zach Kruse says Rodgers has YAC potential and a good work ethic.

“Amari Rodgers is built like a running back, giving him YAC value with the ball in his hands,” said Kruse. The Packers tried to unlock his versatility by playing him in the slot, out wide, as a returner and even in the backfield. It didn’t work out in Green Bay but the potential remains. Everyone in the organization raved about his work ethic and value as a teammate. He’s still finding his way and identity as an NFL player, but a change of scenery and a new opportunity could be exactly what he needs at this point.”

The Texans will have plenty of opportunity as their season is more of a giant personnel evaluation as general manager Nick Caserio looks to 2023 as the key offseason to put the pieces together to complete the rebuild.

Texans claiming former Packers WR Amari Rodgers

The Texans, with top waiver priority, claimed former Packers WR Amari Rodgers, who was released by the Packers on Tuesday.

The Houston Texans used their top spot on the waiver priority list to claim former Green Bay Packers receiver Amari Rodgers, who was released by the team on Tuesday.

DJ Bien-Amie of ESPN was the first to report the Texans claiming Rodgers.

The Packers cut ties with Rodgers, a third-round pick in 2021, after he lost a fumble against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. It was his fifth fumble of the season and the seventh of his career.

The Texans, with the worst record in football, have top waiver priority and used it to claim Rodgers and running back Eno Benjamin over the last two days.

Rodgers departed Green Bay after catching only eight passes in 26 games. He struggled as both a punt returner and kickoff returner, and he played only 201 total snaps on offense over the last two seasons.

Coach Matt LaFleur said cutting Rodgers “hurt a lot” but he also expressed confidence that the second-year receiver would quickly get another opportunity.

“I’m confident he’s going to get another shot. Sometimes that’s the best thing for guys in this league,” LaFleur said Tuesday. “You go through a little bit of adversity and get a fresh start somewhere else. I wish him nothing but the best.”

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