Getty

Luke Lachey's journey continues to unfold after the Houston Texans waived him.

The Houston Texans cut ties with two players–Luke Lachey and Xavier Thomas–in recent days, only for both to have their respective situations take noteworthy turns in separate but still quite similar situations.

The Texans will make many more moves as the offseason rolls along.

Still, Lachey and Thomas represent some of the first dominoes to fall as the fine-tuning for the 2026 season begins in Houston.

Ex-Texans TE Luke Lachey Back on Open Market

“Luke Lachey failed his physical per the transaction wire,” CheeseheadTV’s Aaron Nagler reported in a post on X on May 14, following the Green Bay Packers releasing the EDGE.

There had been some anticipation among the fanbase for Lachey’s arrival in Green Bay.

“The newest tight end for the Green Bay Packers, Luke Lachey.  Is he the stopgap for Tucker Kraft before he comes back from injury or the potential TE2? [eyes emoji],” Pack-A-Day podcast host Matt Froehlich posted on X on May 12.

The Packers were awarded Lachey off waivers from the Texans. Houston cut the tight end to sign journeyman running back Evan Hull.

The Texans selected Lachey 255th overall in the 2025 draft.

He failed to see the field as a rookie, despite the Texans experiencing several injuries at the tight end position throughout the campaign. This offseason, the Texans selected Marlin Klein in the second round of the 2026 draft, effectively ending Lachey’s tenure.

The Texans’ group is still led by Dalton Schultz and includes former Texans draft picks Brevin Jordan and Cade Stover.

Houston has not leaned on its tight ends much as a group, which belies their depth.

Still, Lachey’s NFL journey has taken a pair of significant downturns, with the Texans releasing him one year after drafting him, targeting a replacement early in Klein, and then failing to convince a team willing to take a risk on him that he was healthy enough to contribute.

Xavier Thomas Reverts to Texans’ Roster

“#Texans linebacker Xavier Thomas reverted to injured reserve after being waived-injured,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported on X on May 14.

That means Thomas is likely out for the season, and an injury settlement could be coming.

Thomas is a former fifth-round pick (2024) by the Arizona Cardinals. Like Lachey, he did not see the field for the Texans last season. Unlike Lachey, Thomas has produced at the NFL level before. He has 10 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble in 18 career games played.

The Texans’ roster boasts several edge rushers. Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. lead the way, and they signed Logan Hall to fill in inside and on the edge.

Still, the rest of the Texans’ options are largely unproven.

“Not many rookies as explosive as Xavier Thomas,” NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Ryan Fowler said of Thomas in a post on X in 2024. “Twitched up edge threat that’ll be hard to keep off the field on passing downs.”

That has not been the case so far for Thomas in his pro career.

Still, teams can never have enough pass rushers for a grueling NFL season, and it takes just one team and the right situation, so Thomas’ journey could be far from over.