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Raiders Sign Former Houston Texans Defensive Tackle
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- Raiders Sign Former Houston Texans Defensive Tackle
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
The Las Vegas Raiders signed former Houston Texans defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi as they attempt to beef up the interior of a defensive line that struggled last season and didn't exactly stand out in the Raiders' preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals ., according to a report from Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk that referenced reporting from Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.
Fatukasi was drafted in 2018 by the Jets , and he's spent the last four years in the AFC South, two with the Texans and two with the Jacksonville Jaguars before that. He's 32, and this will be his ninth season in the NFL.
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The defensive lineman was hurt for most of last year due to a shoulder injury, as he played in just four games. Before that he was a cap casualty of the Jacksonville Jaguars back in 2024, and he played out two one-year deals, one in 2024 for $5.13 million and another for $3 million last year.
At one point Fatukasi was a rotational player for a strong Texans defense, as he made 11 starts in 2024. He signed a three-year, $30 million with the Jags that was part of the ill-fated Trent Baalke/Urban Meyer pairing, and the defensive lineman got $30 million when he signed. His earning power has remained low ever since.
His career numbers include a total of 64 starts, and the UConn product has done well considering his draft slot with the Jets, which was No. 180. He recorded 1.5 sacks with one tackle for loss last year, and in 2024, he had a sack, four TFLs, and three QB hits in 11 games, according to Simmons.
Las Vegas could use him if he still has something left in the tank, as the Raiders are rebuilding a defense that struggled with inconsistency. The Raiders have invested heavily on the edge with Kwity Paye and Malcolm Koonce joining Maxx Crosby and Keyron Crawford, but the interior unit was considered a weakness coming into the season.
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Adam Butler is still under contract, but the Raiders' other three options inside — Thomas Booker IV, Benito Jones and Jonah Laulu — were all rated outside the Top 100 at the position.
The Raiders didn't get a strong defensive effort against the Arizona Cardinals in their preseason opener, so this signing is hardly a surprise. Fatukasi has an opportunity to rejuvenate his career in Las Vegas, especially since the Raiders are doing a full roster rebuild and veterans will likely be welcome for a while to try and guide the younger players. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
