The Texans' defensive line has been hit especially hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
Defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson became the latest player to test positive for the Texans and be placed on the reserve-COVID-19 list, joining starting defensive ends Jon Greenard and Jacob Martin and Derek Rivers along with starting defensive tackle Maliek Collins.
The Texans signed defensive linemen Xavier Williams (6-foot-3, 309 pounds) and Ron'Dell Carter (6-foot-3, 269 pounds) to the active roster.
Williams worked out for the Texans previously. He had 22 tackles and one sack last season for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Carter is a former Dallas Cowboys undrafted free agent from James Madison University.
The Texans signed linebacker Josh Watson to the practice squad.
Watson (6-foot-2, 240 pounds) has previously played for the Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers and Carolina Panthers. He was cut recently from the Panthers' practice squad.
As a contagious strain of the coronavirus spreads through the NFL, the pandemic is impacting the Texans' locker room.
Greenard tested positive on Saturday and missed the Texans' 30-16 road victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Texans starting offensive guards Lane Taylor and Justin McCray both missed the game after testing positive. They're all on the reserve-COVID-19 list along with Johnson, Greenard, Martin, Rivers, Collins and linebackers Kamu Grugier-Hill and Christian Kirksey, safety A.J. Moore, corner Terrance Mitchell, safety Terrence Brooks, injured defensive end DeMarcus Walker and practice squad running back Jaylen Samuels and cornerback Cre'Von LeBlanc.
Photo: Getty Images