Scott

Quessenberry

Smith is a four-year veteran who has struggled with injuries throughout his career, notably a torn meniscus that kept him out for the full 2021 season. Initially drafted by the Vikings, Smith spent last season with the Bengals and slashed 18/115/1 in 12 games. He will now try to latch on with the Texans, joining their practice squad. The Texans also added Scott Quessenberry to the practice squad with center Juice Scruggs banged up.

Quessenberry was carted off the field on Thursday with an apparent knee injury and is set to undergo an MRI to determine the extent of the damage. Texans beat writer Brooks Kubena said the entire team came up to Quessenberry to “encourage him on his way” off the field. Trainers fear Quessenberry may have injured his MCL, but will know more in the coming days.

Quessenberry started 16 games for the Texans last season and earned the worst PFF grade among qualified centers by a landslide. He allowed the most pressures and sacks at his position and is better suited as a depth piece than a full-time starter.

Quessenberry will get $652,500 in guarantees. He started nine games for the 2019 Chargers and didn’t knock anybody’s socks off, but Quessenberry has a clear path to playing time in Houston against aging incumbent center Justin Britt. The Texans continue to flood the roster with cheap one-year deals. And they now have two Quessenberry brothers, so we guess they’ve got that going for them.

Quessenberry (6’4/310) was a 3 ½-year starter on the Bruins’ line, seeing early-career action at guard before settling in at center, where he earned first-team All-Pac 12 as a junior but only honorable mention as a senior. Quessenberry rebounded in Indy by testing as an 87th-percentile SPARQ athlete, tops among all interior offensive linemen in this class. Quessenberry has battled injuries to both shoulders and has short arms (31 ¾"), but he offers some position flexibility and athleticism-based upside to become an NFL starter, most likely at center.