Eddie

Pleasant

Pleasant is a rookie undrafted free agent out of Oregon who has been on the practice squad all season. Houston has three defensive backs on the Week 16 injury report.

A spot opened at that position when the Texans cut D.J. Swearinger last month. Pleasant has played a combined 219 snaps since entering the league in 2012. Houston’s alternatives at strong safety include Stevie Brown and Terrance Parks. Pleasant is a squatty 5-foot-10, 211-pound box safety out of Oregon.

Dre Hal started the first preseason game, but Pleasant has opened up each of the last two. A box safety who should be an asset in the run game, Pleasant is a better like-for-like replacement for D.J. Swearinger than Hal. He should open the season in the starting lineup.

Pleasant was a restricted free agent, but the Texans skipped the tender process by signing him to a multi-year deal likely for less money. Pleasant played a nondescript 382 snaps on defense last season, but he was a contributor on special teams. He should play a similar role moving forward.