George Odum is available for Houston’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals after the Texans elevated him from the practice squad for the second time this season. Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 reported the move Sept. 19.
The ninth-year NFL veteran played 71% of Houston’s special teams snaps against the Buffalo Bills and made one tackle in a 36-31 Texans loss. Caleb Bullock and Reed Blankenship are healthy, but Houston is adding Odum for his special teams contributions. Head coach DeMeco Ryans previously praised Odum’s playmaking during the preseason.
Odum has played for the Indianapolis Colts and San Francisco 49ers, earning one All-Pro honor with each team. One listing gives him 205 career tackles, three interceptions, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Elsewhere, his totals are listed as 209 tackles, three interceptions, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, along with 12 starts in 109 games.
Pro Football Focus ranked him 26th among 29 Houston special teams players against Buffalo, while noting that its overall grade does not show performance in each phase. Odum can be elevated once more under the current arrangement. Houston is scheduled to play the Colts in Week 3, after which the team would need to add him to its 53-man roster or use another option.
