Keith

Mumphery

He’s been out of the league since 2017, when the Texans let him go in the wake of sexual assault allegations. No charges were filed and Mumphery later won a federal lawsuit against Michigan State after being dismissed from the school’s post-graduate program without allowing due process. The 2015 fifth-rounder has been training in Dallas in hopes of an NFL return. Mumphery holds career totals of 24 catches, 198 yards and no touchdowns over 27 NFL appearances, all with Houston.

The punishment stems from a violation of the school’s relationship violence and sexual misconduct policy after Mumphery allegedly sexually assaulted a female in her dorm room in 2015 just before Mumphery was drafted by Houston. The Texans are now “gathering information.” A deep reserve and special teamer for the Texans, this could put Mumphery’s job in a bit of hot water.

Mumphery was recently accused of sexual assault stemming from a 2015 incident, while Bullough was slapped with a four-game PEDs ban. Both were special teams types who would have entered camp with minimal job security.

“We know that he does have that skillset in his background,” coach Bill O’Brien said. Mumphery, a low-upside 6'0/215 Michigan State product, is opening his NFL career as an outside receiver and special teamer. He did not get many chances to run the ball as a Spartan, rushing just 14 times for 125 yards with one touchdown in his four-year career.

Mumphery was never a productive receiver at Michigan State, totaling 88 catches, 1,348 yards, and seven TDs over his four-year career. The Texans like his versatility to back up at all three wideout spots. Mumphery will spend 2015 as depth behind DeAndre Hopkins, Jaelen Strong, and Cecil Shorts.

The Texans lost Andre Johnson this offseason but Mumphery isn’t a candidate to fill that role. An average athlete in college, Mumphery will serve as depth behind starters DeAndre Hopkins and Cecil Shorts at wide receiver.

A fifth-round pick out of Michigan State, Mumphery saw more snaps than usual as Nate Washington (hamstring) and Cecil Shorts (shoulder) both exited with in-game injuries. It’s possible Mumphery will start opposite DeAndre Hopkins on Thursday night versus the Colts. The Texans may also have to give in and elevate third-round pick Jaelen Strong onto the game-day roster.

Mumphery (6'0/215) made 26 starts as the Spartans’ Z receiver opposite Tony Lippett, turning 88 career catches into 1,348 yards (15.3 YPR) with seven TDs. He ran 4.54 with a 32 1/2-inch vertical and 10-foot-1 broad jump at the Combine. Never a go-to target at Michigan State and not a playmaker with the ball in his hands, Mumphery’s NFL ceiling is a No. 4 or 5 receiver.

With Cecil Shorts (shoulder) out and Nate Washington (hamstring) also not practicing this week, Mumphery could get the start opposite DeAndre Hopkins. With the Texans falling behind so much, Ryan Mallett has been forced to throw the ball a ton. That could mean somewhere around 8-10 targets for Mumphery.

Mumphery’s eight targets were the third most on the team. Mumphery has 15 looks over the past two weeks, but it’s not by design. He’ll tumble back to near zero involvement once Cecil Shorts and Nate Washington are back to full health.