(SportsRadio 610) - Texans safety Jonathan Owens has spent the past three seasons on and off the team's practice squad.
With the Texans defense hit hard by injuries and COVID-19 most recently, Owens is getting an opportunity to play regularly, not just on special teams but on defense as well.
On Sunday, Owens recorded his first career interception. The Los Angeles Chargers were leading the Texans 12-10 in the second quarter of Sunday's game when quarterback Justin Herbert attempted a deep pass in the middle of the field.
Owens stepped in front to pick it off. The interception set up Houston's seven-play, 94-yard touchdown drive capped by a 41-yard pass from Davis Mills to Chris Conley.
The Texans, who were 9.5-point underdogs at home against the Chargers, took a 17-12 lead into halftime. Later in the game, Owens also recovered a Chargers fumble.
"It's unreal. I can't describe it, honestly," Owens said after the game. "Didn't feel real when it happened on the field. Just because I've been cut multiple times. I tore my ACL my first year in the NFL. And you kind of doubt yourself but you just have to keep working. Keep stacking those days. We want it to happen when we want it. It just takes being patient. And that's all, just stay patient, keep working hard and hard work pays off."
Fellow safety Justin Reid had a lot of praise for his teammate.
"It was amazing seeing J.O. come out and play," Reid said. "This is the second game in a row that he's played a hell of a game. He's turning out to be a great player. I told him, ‘You keep being consistent like this, you’re going to be one of the great safeties in the league.’ He reminds me a lot of Ryan Clark (former Steelers safety, current ESPN analyst). Came in as an undrafted guy, started on one team, moved to another, got his shot and really took advantage of it. J.O.’s going to be a good player.
"He's humble, he’s a hard worker, he’s probably one of the hardest workers during practice, especially when he was on the scout team, running offensive reps, defensive reps. It was beautiful seeing him get his opportunity, then come and make two big-time plays with the two turnovers."