Tag: Roy Lopez

Cardinals have many late-season additions signed for 2024

The Cardinals made sure many of their in-season and late-season additions were signed through 2024.

The Arizona Cardinals went through a lot of different players on the roster in 2023. They made some late-season acquisitions with waiver claims, free agent signings and even signings from off their own practice squad.

In many cases, the Cardinals kept a slightly longer-term perspective. Many of these players were signed through 2024 rather than for just the remainder of the 2023 season.

It appears to be a smart move, giving the players some offseason stability and allowing the Cardinals to have players with a bit of a head start on what they will do next season.

These are the late-season additions to the roster who are signed through this next season.

Cardinals add DL Roy Lopez to active roster, make practice squad moves

Lopez was signed to the practice squad over the weekend.

The Arizona Cardinal added former Houston Texans defensive lineman Roy Lopez to the practice squad on Saturday. He did stay there long.

The Cardinals announced Tuesday he was signed to the active roster.

Lopez, a native Arizonan who was born in Tempe and attending the University of Arizona, is 6-foot-2 and 318 pounds.

He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the sixth round in 2021 and was a starter each of the last two seasons. He appeared in 33 games, starting 29. In two seasons, he has 67 tackles, two sacks, 11 tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, a fumble recovery, a tipped pass and a safety.

He injured his hamstring this offseason and was recently released from the injured reserve in Houston with an injury settlement.

He immediately becomes the Cardinals’ most experienced defensive lineman in terms of starts and production, something needed after both L.J. Collier and Carlos Watkins landed on injured reserve with biceps injuries that needed surgery.

He might not be in the starting lineup on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers but he will get playing time.

In addition to the promotion of Lopez, the Cardinals also made some changes to the practice squad. They re-signed defensive lineman Jacob Slade, released last week when Lopez was signed on Saturday. They released cornerback Quavian White and added linebacker Davion Taylor.

Taylor’s addition gives them another body at linebacker with the recent injury to Krys Barnes, who hurt his hand on Sunday.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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Cardinals to sign former Texans DL Roy Lopez to practice squad

Lopez started 29 games for the Texans in 2021-2022.

The Arizona Cardinals need depth on the defensive line and are adding some. According to reporter Aaron Wilson, they are going to sign defensive tackle Roy Lopez to their practice squad.

Lopez, a native Arizonan who was born in Tempe and attending the University of Arizona, is 6-foot-2 and 318 pounds.

He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the sixth round in 2021 and was a starter each of the last two seasons. He appeared in 33 games, starting 29. In two seasons, he has 67 tackles, two sacks, 11 tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, a fumble recovery, a tipped pass and a safety.

He injured his hamstring this offseason and was recently released from the injured reserve in Houston with an injury settlement.

As of the time of publishing, the Cardinals had not announced their Saturday roster moves for Sunday’s Week 3 game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Lopez’ signing could come Saturday or it might become official next week.

He is expected to be added to the active roster at some point to be part of the defensive playing rotation.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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8 players Vikings can sign to bolster defensive line

The free agent market doesn’t have many impact players, but these can potentially improve the Vikings defense via @TheRealForno

The Minnesota Vikings made a move to bolster their offensive line depth by signing offensive lineman Dalton Risner to a one-year, $4 million contract. It was needed when left tackle Oli Udoh tore his quadriceps tendon knocking him out for the season.

With the Vikings having addressed the offensive line, they still have ample cap space to make a move to address other position. One that they should address is the defensive line, especially after allowing 259 rushing yards to the Philadelphia Eagles.

How much could a veteran signing actually help out the Vikings right now? Their impact can be substantial or absolutely nothing and it all depends on the player and situation.

With that in mind, here are eight players the Vikings can sign that could make an impact.

3 surprising cuts the Houston Texans made

Here are three surprise cuts the Houston Texans made in the summation of @johnhcrumpler

On Tuesday afternoon, general manager Nick Caserio and head coach DeMeco Ryans were required to cut Houston’s roster down to 53 players. As such, the team saw a flurry of transactions as over 1,000 players from around the league were either waived or released after the preseason period.

It’s been 48 hours and Houston was able to use their waiver position to add two players to the roster, former Buffalo Bills Alex Austin and Nick Broeker, which means the roster is largely set for their Week 1 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.

With time for reflection, who were the most surprising cuts for the Houston Texans?

Houston Texans cuts tracker: Trimming to get to 53

Here is a look at the cuts the Houston Texans have made as they build their 53-man roster.

The Houston Texans must get their roster at 53 men by 3:00 p.m. Central Time Aug. 29.

In that process comes easy cuts and also some difficult decisions.

“I appreciate guys just their work ethic and how much work those guys put in for us,” coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters Monday. “I don’t take that lightly. Our guys have done a great job of doing what we’ve asked them to do. We’ve asked them to work hard each and every day — our guys did that. They didn’t complain, they just worked. So, it’s a hard day. Over the next couple of days — it’ll be a hard few days having to let guys go because I know the work that these men have put in.”

Below are the moves the Texans have made as they build their first regular season roster under Ryans.

Texans DE Jonathan Greenard has confidence in new defensive line

Houston Texans defensive end Jonathan Greenard says he likes the way the defensive line is coming together.

Jonathan Greenard has seen the Houston Texans defensive line in many of its forms over the past four seasons, but the 2023 version could be special.

The Texans took Greenard in Round 3 of the 2020 NFL draft. Although an outside linebacker in the final year of Bill O’Brien’s regime, which used a 3-4 front, the former Florida product transitioned to playing as a down lineman in Lovie Smith’s deployment of the Tampa 2 with a 4-3 front.

Houston is sticking with the 4-3 as new coach DeMeco Ryans implements more of an attacking front rather than the read-and-react schemes of the past two seasons. The Texans are melding some of the personnel from the past two seasons with new pieces.

According to Greenard, the Texans’ defensive line may play above expectations.

“I mean, it could be a really really talented, productive group,” Greenard told reporters Aug. 3 after training camp. “I think we’ve got all aspects of rushers, all aspects of players in general.”

The Texans had some pieces on their line, but they bolstered them in free agency. Where the club had a talented three-technique defensive tackle in Maliek Collins, they signed Sheldon Rankins.

Houston wasn’t afraid to use the draft to shore up their defensive line. With Jerry Hughes, who led the Texans with 9.0 sacks last season, and Greenard still under contract, Houston traded up to take defensive end Will Anderson No. 3 overall.

Said Greenard: “I mean, we’ve got a combo. And I think, just overall, with this attacking front, and how DeMeco wants us, how [defensive coordinator] (Matt) Burke wants us, I think we can do a lot of things. Sky’s the limit, for sure.”

The Texans gave up the most rushing yards per game last year at 170.2. Houston also gave up the fourth-most yards per carry at 5.1.

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WATCH: Texans defense stuffs Browns RB Nick Chubb for a safety

The Houston Texans defensive line stuffed Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb for a safety in Week 13.

The Houston Texans had the Cleveland Browns right where they wanted them.

On a second-and-10 in the second quarter of Week 13, the Browns were backed up to their own 1-yard line when they decided to allow running back Nick Chubb to make some breathing room.

The play-call didn’t work as the Texans’ defensive line penetrating the line of scrimmage and held the ball carrier behind the goal line. Defensive tackle Roy Lopez was credited for the safety, which gave Houston a 5-0 lead over the Browns.

Houston couldn’t do anything after the free kick — except punt and back up the Browns at their own 1-yard line.

Texans defense prepared for the challenge Broncos QB Russell Wilson presents

The Houston Texans defense is well aware of the challenge Denver Broncos QB Russell Wilson presents, and are ready for the task.

The task doesn’t get any easier for the Houston Texans’ defense in Week 2.

After facing Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan, they must prepare to take on another probable Hall of Fame quarterback in Russell Wilson, who was traded to the Denver Broncos in the offseason.

Although his demeanor will never display it, Wilson will come into Sunday’s game playing angry and do his best to take that out on the Texans. In his return to Seattle, he was jeered by the same fans that cheered for him weekly, and his first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett showed no faith in him in the 17-16 loss.

With fourth-and-5 from midfield, Hackett decided to attempt a 64-yard field goal instead of leaving the ball in Wilson’s hands.

Wilson will now turn his focus and energy towards the Texans to try and get his first win in a Broncos uniform. The only problem with that is he will be facing a Houston defense that has some anger issues of their own from Week 1.

Leading the Colts by 17-points heading into the fourth quarter, the Texans allowed Indianapolis to get back into the game by giving up 17 points in the fourth quarter and would eventually hold off the Colts to end the game tied at 20.

Houston faced a similar situation as the Broncos during the fourth quarter. On fourth and three from just past midfield, head coach Lovie Smith decided to take a delay of game penalty and punt the ball back to Indianapolis instead of attempting a long field goal.

“It’s a decision that you make,” said Smith after the game. “If you would guarantee that we were going to get it, then it was good. But if you miss it right there and they had stuffed us on the play, they have one play and they’re in position.”

The Texans defenders did not like their play against Ryan in the fourth quarter giving up 207 passing yards and one touchdown as he gained most of those yards from the pocket. Now they face a different challenge in Wilson, who finished Monday’s contest against the Seahawks with 340 yards passing and one touchdown while manipulating the pocket using his legs to scramble.

“He does everything as a quarterback,” said defensive lineman Roy Lopez when asked about Wilson. “He can drop back and pass it. He has play-action and can run the ball if he has too. He is a dual threat.”

Even though the task is immense, Lopez has confidence that his defensive teammates and his defensive coordinator will be ready on Sunday.

“Lovie Smith’s defense is prepared for everything,” Lopez told reporters. “That is something that he harps on and holds his head high on and takes pride in. No matter what we run every play should be stopped. Everybody has a gap, and they should take care of it. So, that is on us to get the job done.”

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Texans hope Colts RB Jonathan Taylor gets lost in ‘jungle’ along interior defensive line

The Houston Texans interior DL refers to their unit as the “jungle,” and they hope Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor has a hard time in Week 1.

The 1987 debut album of the rock band Guns N’Roses featured a song that would become an instant classic titled “Welcome To The Jungle.”

In the song’s second verse, lead singer Axl Rose has two lines that describe the Houston Texans’ interior defensive linemen’s mindset as they prepare to open their season against the Indianapolis Colts.

“Welcome to the jungle; we take it day by day.

If you want it, you’re going to bleed, but it’s the price you pay.”

Come Sunday at NRG Stadium, the Texans hope to make the Colts ante up by collecting a victory that alluded Houston last season as Indianapolis won both matchups.

“They dominated us at their place and at home,” said head coach Lovie Smith during his weekly press conference. “We do remember that, but talk can’t get it done.”

Talking is the last thing defensive linemen Maliek Collins, Roy Lopez, Kurt Hinish, and Michael Dwumfour want to do when they line up against one of the best offensive lines in the NFL.

“We always joke around and call it, ‘The Jungle,’” said rookie Kurt Hinish when asked about playing in the middle of the defensive line. “If you are going to be in the jungle you have to be a bad dude. You got to show up and bring it every snap.”

One player that always brings it is Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, who led the NFL in rushing last season with 1,181 yards. Two hundred ninety-eight of those yards came in the two games against the Texans. Houston knows the importance of this game as it serves as not only the 2022 season opener but also their first divisional game.

“They take pride in who they are,” said Roy Lopez after practice on Wednesday. “This is one of those games where you just strap up, line up, and go to work.

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