The 34-year old veteran defensive end was set to make a total of $9 million in the second year of a two-year deal he signed in 2024. The reworked contract converts a portion of that salary to a signing bonus. Autry will now make $7.5 million in total pay this season. Autry has $1 million available in per-game roster bonuses. The deal will save the Texans nearly $4 million in cap space. A six-game suspension for a performance-enhancing drug policy violation limited Autry’s availability in 2024. He had 13 tackles and 3 sacks in 10 regular season games and added a sack in the playoffs.

Autry released a statement saying, It was important to me that the NFL know that I did not intentionally or even knowingly ingest a banned substance.” According to Autry, he wrongfully received medication from a pharmacy that was supposed to provide him with a different medication as prescribed by a doctor. Autry said he sought legal counsel and “provided the NFL with information, including documentation” from his doctors as proof that he “neither asked for nor was prescribed any banned substances.” Autry said he accepts the six-game suspension but also plans to look into legal options as they pertain to his situation. Autry totaled 50 tackles and a career-high 11.5 sacks for the Texans last season. He will be eligible to return in Week 7 when the Texans take on the Packers at Lambeau Field.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports the deal includes $10.5 million guaranteed. That’s a nice haul for a player going on 34. With the Titans the past three seasons, Autry registered at least eight sacks each of the past three years, including a career-high 11.5 in 2023. He’s going to max out in the 600-700 snap range, but he is a great piece to add for the Texans’ fast-improving defense.

Good news for Justin Herbert and company. Autry got in two limited practices but missed Friday's practice and was ruled out. There may be more to this story, and Autry may go on injured reserve after avoiding it initially if he had a setback in his recovery.