The Texans were awarded cornerback Alex Austin and offensive guard Nick Broeker off waivers from the Buffalo Bills, per league sources.
Broeker adds depth to an offensive line that lost guard Kenyon Green to season-ending shoulder surgery and has right tackle Tytus Howard recovering from hand surgery and rookie center Juice Scruggs out with a strained hamstring for the next two to four weeks, per a league source.
Broeker, 22, is a former Bills seventh-round draft pick from Mississippi. He’s a former second-team All-Southeastern Conference selection. Broeker (6-foot-4, 305 pounds) has played tackle and guard. He won the Kent Hull trophy in his final season.
Austin (6-foot-1, 195 pounds) is a former Oregon State player. In college, he had 141 tackles, one sack, four interceptions and three fumble recoveries. Austin was drafted in the seventh round by Buffalo. He has run the 40-yard dash in 4.55 seconds.
The Texans have signed center Jimmy Morrissey, wide receiver Johnny Johnson, punter Ty Zentner and defensive ends Ali Gaye and Adedayo Odeleye to their practice squad, per league sources.
They plan to sign cornerback Jacobi Francis to their practice squad, per a league source.
Aaron Wilson is a contributor to Sports Talk 790.