Anthony

Maddox

Anderson began the year as a starter but eventually lost the job to Danny Clark, who’s now battling a groin injury. Maddox will move into Amobi Okoye’s spot. Okoye had five sacks through his first nine games, but has just one tackle in each of the last three weeks and admits he’s hit the “rookie wall.”

Houston blew $1 million on Colvin, who couldn’t adjust to playing defensive end after being an outside linebacker in New England. The 31-year-old is also not fully recovered from a foot injury he suffered last year. It has been a swift decline for Colvin, although the Colts or Pats could show interest.

Restricted free agent DT Anthony Maddox and C Scott Jackson did get low tenders. Mathis has a sorted off-field past, but someone will give him a chance because of his Pro Bowl-caliber kick return ability.

Maddox played just five games this season, registering three tackles and one sack.

The team also added DT Tim Bulman to the practice squad.

Houston is scrambling after the loss of Seth Payne. A practice teamer as recently as last week, Maddox will start next to Travis Johnson.

No word on how high these players were tendered, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if none saw better than the lowest possible tag of $850,000. Orr and Earl are starters but neither should be guaranteed his job back.

A great pick. Houston hasn’t been able to muster an interior pass rush for as long as we can remember. Okoye will likely begin his career as a “three-technique,” or pass-rushing tackle, but has the size potential to grow into a nose. He will combine with Anthony Maddox, Travis Johnson, and Jeff Zgonina to form an underrated group on the interior.

The undersized Maddox has played hard since signing from the Jaguars’ practice squad and later stepping into the starting lineup. Houston will still likely add another down lineman to play next to Travis Johnson.