Continuing to deal with injury problems along the offensive line, the Texans are adding further depth. Rashaad Coward is headed to Houston after working out with the team and signing a deal, reports Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. 
Tytus Howard is dealing with a broken hand and faces the possibility of missing regular season time as a result. The team’s tackle depth was worsened further when Greg Little was placed on IR due to a back injury, and Charlie Heck is currently sidelined as well. Aside from veteran George Fant, who was signed as a high-end insurance policy and will start in place of Howard if needed, the Texans were short on bodies at the tackle spot.
Coward has seen time at right tackle dating back to when he was with the Bears. He could thus be used as an emergency option behind Fant on the depth chart, but he has more experience on the interior. Coward was used at right guard during the 2019 season, where he saw 10 of his 18 career starts.
The 28-year-old split his time between right tackle and left guard the following year, then signed with the Steelers. Coward was on the field for only two snaps on offense, however, and he joined the Cardinals last offseason. He did not survive the team’s final roster cuts, but was immediately signed to their practice squad. The former UDFA did wind up making four appearances in Arizona, though, including three starts at left guard.
Coward has earned poor PFF evaluations in each of his seasons with notable playing time, so Houston will be eyeing him strictly as a versatile backup. Given the injuries the team is dealing with at tackle (and along the interior with veteran center Scott Quessenberry having suffered ACL and MCL tears), though, he could find himself in the lineup at some point. Spot-start duties would be nothing new to Coward, and operating in that role could help his free agent market come next offseason.