The Houston Texans were one of the worst teams in the NFL last season. They also have had an odd connection with the Green Bay Packers in terms of recent players. Perhaps the most-remembered connection was when Green Bay traded a sixth round pick to Houston in 2021 for Randall Cobb in an attempt to appease then-quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Houston has also been known to sign players that the Packers released. Of these, Amari Rodgers and Christian Kirksey are the most prominent. Rodgers was released earlier this offseason and signed with the Indianapolis Colts. Now, as the preseason comes to a close, the Texans have also released Kirksey, who was one of their best players last season and a team captain.
Christian Kirksey, a Walter Payton Man of the Year candidate last year being released today, per a league source, has recovered from a strained hamstring. Kirksey is a classy veteran active in community and will be missed in #Texans locker room.
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 28, 2023
The Houston Texans Release Former Green Bay Packers Linebacker Christian Kirksey (NFL)
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Kirksey played one season for the Packers in 2020. At the time of his signing, many were skeptical of his ability to stay healthy, as he had been able to play in just two games in 2019. While he could only stay healthy for 11 games during his year with the Packers, Kirksey was a solid player, putting up 77 tackles, 2.0 sacks, and two interceptions.
Notably, Kirksey was incredibly generous to the people of Green Bay during the COVID-19 pandemic. He donated thousands of dollars worth of supplies to shelters and served food at soup kitchens.
Green Bay opted not to bring him back after the 2020 season and he signed with the Texans. He had another injury plagued season in 2021, but was healthy for all 17 games in 2022. Voted a team captain by his teammates, Kirksey had 124 tackles, 3.0 sacks, and two interceptions last season.
With such a solid season behind him and good health, there is no doubt that he will end up signed by another team before too long.
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