The reason why the Texans signed center Jimmy Morrissey off the Las Vegas Raiders' practice squad is due to ongoing concerns about starting center Justin Britt's knee injury.
Britt missed a 31-3 road loss to the Indianapolis Colts due to swelling in his knee that sidelined him for an entire week of practice.
Britt is not expected to return this week against the Arizona Cardinals with Justin McCray slated to start again in his place.
"McCray played well," Texans coach David Culley said. "The injury with Britt is always a concern.. Obviously, we needed to get some more depth in here in case he doesn't progress the way we need him to progress in order to play. Yes, that's the reason why we brought him (Morrissey) in."
Morrisey is a 6-foot-4, 305-pound center from Pitt who was drafted in the seventh round this year by the Raiders and is regarded as a strong developmental prospect.
Morrisey was a 47-game starter at center for Pitt and was named the Burlsworth Trophy winner awarded to the most outstanding college football player who began their career as a walk-on.
He was a three-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection and a four-time All-ACC academic football selection.
In high school, Huntingdon Valley, Pa., native was an All-Catholic League and All-City selection in Philadelphia and chose to be a preferred walk-on at Pitt over scholarship offers from Lehigh, Bucknell and Colgate.
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