Ex-Vikings Lineman Signs with Texans

Vikings Get More Salary Cap Relief
Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Houston has recently been a meeting point for former Vikings players. Stefon Diggs was traded there from Buffalo earlier in the offseason, and he reunited in Texas with his former quarterback Case Keenum, who will be the backup for C.J. Stroud. Four-time Pro Bowler Danielle Hunter signed with his hometown team in free agency after nine seasons with the Vikings.

Ex-Vikings Lineman Signs with Texans

On the other hand, the Vikings acquired Jonathan Greenard and Blake Cashman in the offseason. The duo experienced breakout campaigns last year. The Texans also employed cornerback Shaquill Griffin in 2023 but ended up on the waiver wire halfway through the season.

Indianapolis Colts guard Chris Reed (left) warms up before the team’s game against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

Offensive guard Chris Reed, who spent the last couple of seasons with the Vikings, is no longer a free agent. According to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson on X, he will join Houston in training camp: “Texans signed guard Chris Reed, defensive end Malik Fisher and wide receiver Quintez Cephus.”

Reed played college ball at Minnesota State before going undrafted in 2015.

As an undrafted rookie, Reed signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2015, spending his debut season on the practice squad, but he made the 53-man roster in 2016. The guard logged his first ten games, including four starts.

In his third year, he started on the practice squad but was promoted to the 53-man roster later in the season, once again starting some contests. Through four years with the Jaguars, he started eight of 25 contests he appeared in.

NFL: Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings
Nov 29, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Robby Anderson (11) celebrates his touchdown with offensive lineman Chris Reed (64) against the Minnesota Vikings in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

At this point, he had been a pretty successful undrafted player before becoming a journeyman backup in the league. In free agency, he signed with the Dolphins under head coach Brian Flores but was waived close to the end of the season. Reed played five games and started once. He spent the remainder of the 2019 season and 2020 with the Carolina Panthers. In those two campaigns, the Iowa-born lineman played 17 games (14 starts).

His time with the Panthers ended when his contract expired, and he subsequently joined the Indianapolis Colts. In his lone season with the Colts, he started six games and appeared in 14 on the solid line.

Ex-Vikings Lineman Signs with Houston
Indianapolis Colts guard Danny Pinter (63) and guard Chris Reed (62) warm up before facing the Texans on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, at NRG Stadium in Houston.

He did quite well, so when the Vikings hired him for the 2022 season, many folks believed he could be the starter at right guard. Unfortunately for him, Ed Ingram was selected in the second round one month later, and the coaches were reluctant to bench him despite his struggles.

Injuries riddled Reed in his two years in Minnesota, so he only played in nine games and 122 snaps on offense. He started at center in Week 18 of the 2022 season against the Chicago Bears. Reed’s biggest strength is perhaps his versatility, as he can play all three interior line spots.

The Vikings moved on when his contract expired. Reed has now found a new team and will try to show enough talent to make the 53-man roster. If he is part of the team, he will travel to U.S. Bank Stadium to take on his former team in Week 3.

Reed will turn 32 next week.

Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this article.


Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt