Ja'Marcus Ingram, Houston Texans
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Ja'Marcus Ingram #42 of the Houston Texans warms up before a game against the Arizona Cardinals.
The Houston Texans have been one of, if not the, most active teams this offseason, and it has not even officially begun. After two trades, one of which yielded David Montgomery, the Texans added to their 2026 roster another way with Ja’Marcus Ingram.
Ingram, a veteran of four NFL seasons, spent part of the 2025 campaign with the Texans.
He will return in 2026, providing value in two phases for a team that still has plenty to sort through this offseason.
Texans Announce Deal With Ja’Marcus Ingram
Ja'Marcus Russell, Houston Texans
GettyJa’Marcus Ingram #46 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates scoring a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins.
The Texans announced Ingram’s return to the roster with a three-word message on X, posting “Here to stay [rock on/hand making bull horns emoji]” on March 3.
Ingram turns 29 in September. He played in four games with the Texans during the 2025 regular season, joining the team off waivers from the Buffalo Bills. He logged most of his playing time on special teams.
However, he has made plays when in at corner.
Ingram deflected a would-be touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 18. The veteran also recorded an interception against the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Playoffs.
Ingram finished the season with 6 total tackles and 2 PBUs during the regular season, adding 2 more combined stops and 1 deflection in the playoffs. He has 39 total stops, 6 breakups, 2 picks, 1.0 sacks, starting one of his 33 games played.
Ingram struggled in coverage with the Bills last season, allowing 71.4% completion, per Pro Football Reference.
However, he has otherwise allowed a 50% completion on 13 targets in his coverage.
Ja’Marcus Ingram Helps in 2 Ways
Ja'Marcus Ingram, Houston Texans
GettyJa’Marcus Ingram #46 of the Buffalo Bills looks on against the Seattle Seahawks.
Ingram’s added value on special teams is a good way to see the field on game days. It will still be difficult to come by on defense, where the Texans have young stars Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter at corner. They will also have 2025 third-round pick Jaylin Smith back healthy.
The 97th overall pick of the class, Smith played in four games as a rookie. An injury cut his season short.
The Texans rely on Jalen Pitre, a safety, at nickelback.
However, they also enter the offseason with questions along their last line of defense. They have Calen Bullock at one safety spot. He is established. But there was a revolving door situation opposite him during this past season.
2025 sixth-rounder Jaylen Reed should also be back healthy. He was not the Texans’ first option, though. He also suffered an injury during his first career start.
The Texans have also further thinned their roster at the safety spot this offseason.
Texans Make Roster Move Official
Jimmie Ward, Houston Texans
GettyJimmie Ward #20 of the Houston Texans reacts after an interception against the Detroit Lions.
On Monday, news broke that the Texans planned to move on from former San Francisco 49ers first-round draft pick Jimmie Ward. He spent the 2025 season on Houston’s roster but missed the campaign due to an injury.
The Texans officially announced the decision to cut ties with Ward on Tuesday.
That could mean safety, or some form of secondary help, is among the team’s priorities this offseason.
It does not need to be at cornerback, though. That is why moves like securing Ingram can benefit a team like the Texans far more than they might seem on paper. Ingram is a reserve, but one that has experience and can help in multiple phases, making him valuable.