(SportsRadio 610) -- Texans wide receiver Chad Hansen is expected to be added to the 53-man roster after the team elevated him from the practice squad twice this season.
Hansen was brought up from the practice squad two games ago when the Texans first played the Indianapolis Colts, after Will Fuller was suspended for the remainder of the season.
Hansen produced, with 101 receiving yards on five catches in the 26-20 loss.
The Texans elevated him again last week against the Bears with veteran receiver Brandin Cooks battling a neck injury.
The NFL’s collective bargaining agreement prevents teams from bringing up the same practice squad player twice.
“He’s been pretty productive, so there’s a good chance he’ll get signed,” Crennel told reporters Friday morning.
Hansen, 25, has spent most of his first four seasons in the league bouncing around practice squads.
The New York Jets drafted Hansen in the fourth round in 2017, then released him in 2018.
Since then, Hansen’s had brief stints with the New England Patriots (eight days in 2018), Tennessee Titans (13 days in 2018), Denver Broncos and New Orleans Saints.
“Man, it's tough. It's tough, especially this year with all the COVID restrictions,” Hansen said after the Dec. 6 Colts game. “Like all the practice squads and all that stuff, it's hard for practice squad members to get brought up. It was a blessing to get that opportunity. I just wanted to do the most when I got it.”
Deshaun Watson has been complimentary of Hansen, noting the wide receiver tagged along wherever the quarterback trained across the country during the offseason.
“When I went to Arizona in the 100-degree heat, Chad was there,” Watson said. “When I went to Georgia, when I went to Miami, went to California, everywhere I went, Chad was always there. I'm very confident in him and what he can do for us to help us out. … He's going to make big-time catches, and he's going to be ready and prepared.”
