Defensive tackle Brandon Dunn was a role player who would split snaps with D.J. Reader, but 2020 changed that dynamic.
In free agency, Reader left for the Cincinnati Bengals, and Dunn assumed the position, even though the Texans did ostensibly replace Reader with Ross Blacklock, their second-round pick from TCU.
On Thanksgiving, Dunn started his 11th game of the season amid the 41-25 win over the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. The former 2014 undrafted free agent from Louisville has now started the most games in a season in his NFL career.
“I take it with pride,” said Dunn, who has produced 24 combined tackles, two quarterback hits, and a fumble recovery. “Every week this year has been different. I’ve just been preaching to the guys that you’ve just got brush it off. It’s a weird year, a weird season. You’ve got to make the most of it.”
What Dunn has seen in 2020 is an opportunity for leadership with younger players, and the 28-year-old has stepped up to the plate.
“You’ve just got to be a leader in a situation and a time where a leader needs to step up, just to help guys out in the locker room,” said Dunn. “Even young guys. We’ve got some young guys playing. We’ve got some young guys dealing with COVID issues who may need some help. Everybody in the building is helping each other out right now and I feel like it’s the best contribution I’ve been doing this whole time.”
The 62-, 310-pound defensive tackle has played in 70 games for the Texans, 17.5 times more than he did with the Chicago Bears, who signed him as a priority free agent after the 2014 NFL Draft.
Dunn is appreciative of his time in Chicago, which lasted through Week 4 of the 2015 season. After four career games with the Bears, they let him go.
“I got released after, I think, Week 3 and then there was some doubt and shame,” Dunn said. “Was it my fault? But it was some other stuff I didn’t even know about, but luckily I got a call from Houston and the rest is history.
“I’ve been here ever since. You just don’t know. You have no clue. You can’t pinpoint things and opportunities but when it comes, you’ve got to make the most out of it.”
Dunn was nominated Thursday as the Texans’ choice for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award.