Texans Bring Back Troy Nolan

 

The Houston Texans re-signed free agent safety Troy Nolan on Wednesday, bringing a familiar face back to Reliant Park. Nolan was the last player released by the Texans on the final roster cutdown of the preseason. He was the signed by the Miami Dolphins and even played against Houston in the Texans season opening 30-10 win over the Dolphins. 

Nolan, in his fourth NFL season out of Arizona St, was released by Miami after week 3. With only four safeties on the active roster and FS Quintin Demps out indefinitely with a broken left forearm suffered Sunday, the Texans were in need of another one. To make room for Nolan on the 53 man roster, 3rd string QB John Beck was released. 

Nolan was a 7th round pick by Houston in the 2009 NFL Draft. He missed all of his rookie season after suffering a wrist injury in training camp. He played well for the Texans in 2010 and 2011, appearing in 30 games and totaling 84 tackles, 9 passes defensed and 3 interceptions. 

With Demps injury, who had played on 53 percent of the defensive snaps through week 3, the Texans were fortunate to be able to bring Nolan back. He knows the system and defensive schemes and will be able to step onto the field in the rotation at safety right away. He has made plays on the defense before and his arrival should soften the blow of the Demps injury, who was playing well before going down against the Tennessee Titans.

He was already playing that game with a cast on his right hand after breaking his thumb the previous week. He had surgery for the second week in a row this past Monday, this time on his left arm and now has casts on both sides. There is no timetable set for his return, although coach Gary Kubiak has said that the injury is not season ending. The Texans also have rookie FS Eddie Pleasant on the practice squad if another injury occurs at the safety position.