Tag: Devin White

DeMeco Ryans breaks down Texans signing of Pro Bowl LB Devin White

Here’s why the Houston Texans brought in former Pro Bowl cornerback Devin White.

Why did the Houston Texans sign former Pro Bowl linebacker Devin White?

Is it because third-year starter Christian Harris will miss the remainder of the season?

Is it because Azeez Al-Shaair is set to go to the injured reserve?

Nope. Both would be valid reasons for the Texans to bring in the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers captain, but it’s not why he’s now suiting up for the AFC South favorites.

“We wanted to add him to give him an opportunity to see where he can come in and help us,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said when asked why they signed White. “That’s what it was about.”

The Texans need linebacker depth following Sunday’s loss against the Green Bay Packers. Herny To’oTo’o, who was out last week due to a concussion, still hasn’t been cleared by the team’s medical staff to play this week against the Indianapolis Colts.

Al-Shaair, who suffered a knee injury in Week 6, did not practice on Wednesday and could miss his second consecutive game. Harris, who’s been  on the injured reserve since the start of the season, is making progress but isn’t expected back for at least a few more weeks.

Enter White, a former first-round pick out of LSU and do-it-all defender for the Buccaneers during their Super Bowl run in 2020. He was a second-team All-Pro in 2020 and made the Pro Bowl in 2021.

Last season in 13 games, White finished with 83 tackles, six pass deflections and two interceptions. He signed a one-year deal this offseason with the Philadelphia Eagles but never played a down before being released earlier this month.

Just because he didn’t play doesn’t mean the Texans don’t envision White in the same light as the Eagles.

“He went top 10 in the Draft, I mean, he was an exceptional talent,” Ryans said. “So, what happened and why he’s here, no one knows.

“You just have to keep punching, keep attacking each day with the right mindset and opportunity for Devin is to come in here and compete. Again, nothing’s promised. We don’t know what the future holds.”

After Sunday’s game, the Texans have a quick turnaround on Thursday Night Football against the New York Jets. White might not play this week, but there’s a chance he’ll be caught up to speed in time to see meaningful reps against Aaron Rodgers and Co. at MetLife Stadium.

Ryans, however, isn’t ruling out White from playing on Sunday in Houston just yet.

“We’ll work with him and see where he is. Try to get him caught up to speed to see if he can help us,” Ryans said. “So, it’s an opportunity for Devin to compete. Come in, learn how we do things and see how he can fit in and how he can help us.”

C.J. Stroud shares funny story of new Texans teammate Devin White

C.J. Stroud has a fun story to tell on how he met his new teammate Devin White.

Plenty of Houston Texans fans probably remember linebacker Devin White best for his fundamental tackling and love of horses during his five seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud remembers White for a different reason. The former Pro Bowler gave the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year an “it’s big boy football” memory during the 2023 season when the two met at NRG Stadium in Week 9.

As Stroud took the snap, White bulldozed through the interior of Houston’s offensive line and met the quarterback head-on. Stroud was smart enough to dodge the defender and throw the ball away before being taken down for a sack, but it certainly was something that nearly altered the game’s outlook.

“He is a heck of a football player, he’s really fast,” Stroud said nearly a year later after the Texans agreed to terms with White on a one-year deal Wednesday. “I feel like I got up a little bit, but I got out of bounds too, I am not trying to get hit by him.”

As the linebacker room deals with injuries, White hopes to be the solution. He signed a one-year deal earlier this offseason with the Philadelphia Eagles but never played a down during the first five games before being released earlier this month.

At his peak, the former first-rounder has the potential to be a three-down player and the next revival project under DeMeco Ryans.

“It’s no secret that Devin has been an All-pro, top linebacker in this League coming out of college,” Ryans said. “He was a no-miss player. He went top 10 in the Draft, I mean, he was an exceptional talent.”

@brgridiron The sound effects when he’s running 😂 #nfl #micahparsons #cjstroud @The Edge with Micah Parsons ♬ original sound – B/R Gridiron

As for Stroud, he’s yet to talk to White about the incident, but he’s glad to call the former LSU star a teammate instead of an opponent.

“He is a great player, great addition so shoutout to [general manager] Nick [Caserio] for doing his thing once again,” Stroud said. “I am in love with that choice Nick made and I think he will be a great addition to this defense.”

The Texans return to NRG Stadium to take on the Indianapolis Colts this Saturday at noon CT.

Texans sign former Buccaneers star LB to active roster

The Texans are bringing in a Super Bowl-winning linebacker for the rest of the 2024 season.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

There’s a new linebacker entering the mix off of NRG Drive.

The Houston Texans are signing former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Devin White, the team announced Wednesday morning. He will take the roster spot of the recently released Rashad Weaver.

White, a first-round pick out of LSU in 2019, helped the Buccaneers clinch their second Super Bowl title in 2020. He played his first five seasons with the NFC South, making the NFL All-Rookie Team and receiving a Pro Bowl nod in 2021.

Last season, Whire started 13 games and finished with 83 tackles and 2.5 sacks. He signed a one-year, $4 million deal this offseason with the Eagles but was released earlier this month after missing the first five games.

Over five seasons, Wihte has recorded 566 career tackles, 23 sacks, six forced fumbles, nine fumble recoveries and three interceptions.

Linebacker depth remains a weakness for the Texans entering Week 8’s matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. Third-year starter Christian Harris remains on the injured reserve with a calf injury and isn’t likely to be cleared before kickoff.

In Week 6, the Texans lost both starters Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) and Henry To’o’To’o (concussion) to injury. Neither was cleared to play in Sunday’s 24-22 loss against the Green Bay Packers. Special teams standouts Neville Hewitt and Jake Hansen had to start in their place.

Both players could be cleared to return this week, but their status remains a mystery heading into practice. White at least should provide depth while Houston works through its injuries.

Texans Wire will continue to update you on White’s signing and the status of the linebacker position.

Former Eagles linebacker Devin White signs with the Houston Texans

Former Eagles linebacker Devin White signs with the Houston Texans

Devin White has landed, as the former Eagles linebacker has signed a deal with the Houston Texans.

White missed the Buccaneers’ week four loss and had been inactive for games against the Packers, Falcons, and Saints.

The Eagles have had Nakobe Dean and Zach Baun starting the first four games, and Baun had been one of the most impressive linebackers in the NFL through the first three weeks.

White exited Tampa Bay for Philadelphia with the hope of retooling his career while becoming the missing piece that gets this Eagles team over the Super Bowl hump.  During the summer, it looked like White had shown he was the best linebacker on the roster while assuming a leadership role, resulting in the former Buccaneers star becoming a defensive general.

White, a 2024 free agent signing, talked about being a team leader and upgrading Philadelphia’s linebacker position.

He’ll now join a playoff contender.

Nick Sirianni on releasing Devin White: We’re excited about the linebackers in the room

Nick Sirianni says the Eagles like their linebacker group when asked about Devin White’s release

The Eagles released Devin White on Tuesday, ending weeks of speculation about why the veteran linebacker was inactive for four straight games.

During his Wednesday press conference, head coach Nick Sirianni addressed White’s release, calling the linebacker a “great professional” who did his business correctly.

Asked to clarify, Sirianni stated that the Eagles liked the linebackers they had on the roster.

Philadelphia has had Nakobe Dean and Zack Baun start as linebackers, with mixed results.

According to The Athletic, the Eagles allow the NFL’s fourth-most yards per rush (5.0) and pressure quarterbacks at the fourth-lowest rate (15.9 percent) through five weeks of play.

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Should Seahawks sign LB Devin White?

Should Seahawks sign LB Devin White?

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald was critical of his second-level run defense following Sunday’s disappointing defeat to the New York Giants. The Seahawks own the league’s 20th-ranked run defense heading into Thursday’s primetime divisional showdown with the San Francisco 49ers. If general manager John Schneider wants to add competition to the linebacker position next alongside Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson, a potentially intriguing opportunity just became available.

The Philadelphia Eagles released Super Bowl champion and Pro Bowl linebacker Devin White from his contract earlier this week. White was deemed a poor fit for the defense despite signing a one-year contract worth $7.5 million in the offseason. Veteran defensive coordinator Vic Fangio had been opting to start Zack Baun and Nakobe Dean at linebacker instead.

White was previously a five-year starter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and shouldn’t be available on the open market for long. After three consecutive 100-plus tackle campaigns, White totaled 83 tackles in 14 appearances last season. Teams searching for veteran linebacker help will be attentive.

It’s worth acknowledging Pro Football Focus credited White with nine missed tackles and a lackluster run stopping grade of 30.8 last season. Defending the run has typically been a weakness for White. His PFF run-stopping grades were 29.0 and 42.6 in 2021 and 2022.

Perhaps the Seahawks should consider playing fourth-round rookie Tyrice Knight if they’re so disappointed with their linebacker play. It’s more likely that Baker and Dodson will continue receiving opportunities to improve their second-level discipline. In the meantime, Schneider could ponder adding White to the mix.

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Eagles cut former first-round pick after ex-Saints backup took his job

The Eagles cut a former first-round pick after an ex-Saints backup took his job. Maybe Zack Baun should’ve gotten more snaps the last four years:

Shout out to Zack Baun. It’s all you  can do after the former New Orleans Saints backup linebacker signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and outcompeted a former first-round draft pick for a starting job. The Eagles cut veteran linebacker Devin White on Tuesday after Baun displaced him in the lineup, and now he’s a free agent. White was inactive for each of Philly’s first four games this season.

Baun, meanwhile, is closing in on a new career high for snaps played (254; he peaked last year with 303 reps in the Saints defense). He’s already set a new personal best with 43 tackles on the season (29 solo). And he’s still receiving only occasional looks as a pass rusher off the edge, while continuing to line up off the line of scrimmage. Maybe he should’ve been playing more often for the Saints over the last four years.

As for White? He’s looking for a new team after signing a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Eagles this spring. White was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at No. 5 overall in 2019’s first round, and while he had some great moments and a Pro Bowl nod in 2021, he’s struggled to consistently run and cover as well as his peers. We’ll see where he lands next, but the bigger issue is the Saints failing to get more out of Baun after they traded up to get him in 2020.

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Eagles release linebacker Devin White

The Philadelphia Eagles have released linebacker Devin White after he was inactive for the first four games of the 2024 season

In an expected move, the Eagles are releasing veteran linebacker Devin White, who was a healthy scratch in their first four games of the season.

White missed the Buccaneers’ week four loss and had been inactive for games against the Packers, Falcons, and Saints.

The Eagles have had Nakobe Dean and Zach Baun starting the first four games, and Baun had been one of the most impressive linebackers in the NFL through the first three weeks.

White exited Tampa Bay for Philadelphia with the hope of retooling his career while becoming the missing piece that gets this Eagles team over the Super Bowl hump.  During the summer, it looked like White had shown he was the best linebacker on the roster while assuming a leadership role, resulting in the former Buccaneers star becoming a defensive general.

White, a 2024 free agent signing, talked about being a team leader and upgrading Philadelphia’s linebacker position.

He’ll now look to sign with a playoff contender.

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Devin White to miss Eagles game vs. Buccaneers due to personal reasons

Devin White to miss Eagles game vs. Buccaneers due to personal reasons

Devin White has been a healthy scratch for the first three games of Philadelphia’s season, and with the Eagles heading to Tampa Bay for a Week 4 matchup, the veteran linebacker won’t be making the trip.

White will again be a healthy scratch, this time for personal reasons.

With White not even making the trip, Philadelphia could be exploring a potential trade or outright release of the linebacker.

The Eagles have had Nakobe Dean and Zach Baun starting the first three games, and Baun has been one of the most impressive linebackers in the NFL through the first three weeks.

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Eagles LB Devin White on slowing down Alvin Kamara: ‘It ain’t easy’

Devin White played the Saints twice a year with the Buccaneers, so he knows well what Alvin Kamara can do. The Eagles could use his insight:

Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio, should be picking Devin White’s brain on how to stop New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara this Sunday. White has played the Saints twice a year for his entire career as a member of the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He left for Philadelphia in free agency this year but has yet to make his debut.

The addition of Klint Kubiak changes the scouting report for Kamara, but White should still be consulted. He has plenty of experience.

Tampa Bay did a good job slowing down Kamara for much of his tenure. White spoke about this on social media Saturday morning. He made it clear slowing down Kamara is hard and gave credit to Todd Bowles, who was the Buccaneers’ defensive coordinator before being promoted to head coach.

White could give Fangio insight on some of the things Bowles did that were effective. Defending Kamara has always been a tough order given his versatility as a runner and receiver, and Klint Kubiak is putting his skills to good use. Kamara goes into Week 3 as the NFL leader in yards from scrimmage through the first two weeks of action.

But it’s unclear if White will be a part of implementing Fangio’s strategy. He missed Week 1 with an ankle injury before being a healthy scratch last week. His familiarity with the Saints, and Bijan Robinson’s effectiveness against the Eagles’ defense last Monday night, could lead to a change at linebacker. It would be a change that could result in White getting his first snaps of the year.

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