The Texans have claimed defensive lineman Kingsley Keke off waivers from the Green Bay Packers with him joining the roster officially deferred until after the Super Bowl, according to a league source.
Keke was cut by the Packers this week following a disagreement with the Packers' coaching staff, including coach Matt LaFleur, about his practice role after recently dealing with concussion and COVID-19, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
Now, the Richmond native gets a fresh start in his hometown. Keke, 25, is a talented 6-foot-3, 288-pound former George Ranch standout.
Keke has 20 tackles, 2 1/2 sacks and one forced fumble this season. For his career, he has 47 tackles, 6 1/2 sacks and two forced fumbles. He was a healthy scratch for one game against the Cleveland Browns for personal reason, according to LaFleur.
Keke sacked Drew Brees twice in 2020 in a win over the New Orleans Saints. He had two sacks against Carson Wentz in 2020 in a win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
A former Texas A&M starter and Packers fifth-round draft pick, Keke was a finalist for the Greater Houston Lombardi award as a senior at George Ranch. He recorded 60 tackles, 10 for losses, five sacks and blocked two kicks. He was an all-state selection and four-star recruit who had 158 career tackles, 19 sacks and 39 tackles for losses.
For the Aggies, Keke had 150 career tackles, 21 tackles for losses and a dozen sacks.
At the NFL scouting combine, Keke ran the 40-yard dash in 4.95 seconds.