Fatukasi had just been reactivated to play this week. It will be a hit to Houston’s run-stopping if Fatukasi is out again, but they have plenty of interesting depth pieces along the defensive line.

The Jaguars made Fatukasi a cap casualty last week, clearing $3.5 million in space with his release. The veteran lineman totaled 24 tackles and three TFLs in 16 games for the Jaguars last season and has started 44 games over the last three years. Fatukasi earned a 61.0 defensive grade on PFF last year and should provide valuable depth for the Texans along the defensive front.

The release of Fatukasi — which came on his birthday — frees up $3.5 million in cap space for the Jaguars. Fatukasi is a six-year vet of the league and has spent the last two seasons with the Jaguars, totaling 48 tackles and 1.5 sacks over 30 games. Fatukasi has started 44 of the last 45 games he’s appeared in, dating back to his final season with the Jets. At 29 years old, Fatukasi should have a strong market as teams look to add veteran contributors along the defensive front.

Jacksonville converted $7.4 million in base salary into a signing bonus, clearing $5.9 million in 2023 cap space. The Jaguars added three void years to the deal to help spread out the cap hits on Fatukasi, who was due $12.7 million. The restructure puts Jacksonville at $10 million under the cap.