Houston Texans Add Wide Receiver Jeff Maehl

Just a day after releasing veteran wide receiver Derrick Mason, the Texans signed rookie wide receiver Jeff Maehl from their practice squad to the active roster.

The 6-0, 178-pound undrafted rookie out of Oregon will serve as the Texans’ fourth wide receiver while Pro-Bowler Andre Johnson is out with a hamstring injury. He will also play on special teams, which is a primary reason Houston released the 37-year-old Mason in favor of a younger receiver.

“Jeff has been here now from the beginning of the season, so as far as knowing the offense and the concepts and things of that nature, we feel confident that he can go in and play several different positions for us,” Texans wide receivers coach Larry Kirksey said. “At the same time, he can give us some support on special teams. We’re not asking him to go out there and win a game for us by any means, but we think that he’s done a great job of preparing himself at this point in time and we felt like he’s deserving of an opportunity.”

Maehl had 178 career catches and 24 touchdowns at Oregon, tied for the most in school history in both categories. He ranks seventh all-time at Oregon with 2,311 career receiving yards.