Danny Amendola had not gone this long without a team since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2008.
It was not until last week when Amendola, who is from The Woodlands just north of Houston, signed with the Texans to provide depth at slot receiver.
Amendola makes his home now in Austin, where he says he's trained with other quarterbacks and is neighbors with Colt McCoy and Baker Mayfield.
He was productive last season with the Detroit Lions, posting 602 receiving yards on 46 catches.
But he did not sign with a team before training camp, or the preseason.
The Texans seemed like a natural fit, given the New England Patriots ties with general manager Nick Caserio and executive vice president of football operations Jack Easterby.
Amendola is already familiar with the Texans' offensive concepts, since they largely stem from the Patriots.
So the Texans did not hesitate to rely on Amendola in the season opener, where he caught all five of his targets, including an eight-yard catch-and-run touchdown in the second quarter.
"You talk about a guy that's a playmaker," Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks said of Amendola after the game. "He's been a playmaker all his career, no matter where he lined up. He stepped in the room, he's going to make an impact right away. A lot of respect for Danny and I think he showed that (Sunday), as well."
The Texans signed Amendola in part because Anthony Miller is still recovering from a shoulder dislocation.
Head coach David Culley said Monday he was not surprised to see the two-time Super Bowl-champion Amendola transition seamlessly into the Texans' offense.
"This guy lives and breathes, when he wakes up, it's about football," Culley said. "He's been a part of this offense before and it was an easy adjustment for him to step right in there. And what he did in the game, we expected him to do. That's what he's been doing his whole career."
Brandon Scott manages digital content for SportsRadio 610. Follow him on Twitter @brandonkscott.
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