Who Should I Start? Irv Smith Jr. or Davis Allen

Tuesday, September 17, 10:22 PM

The Houston Texans signed free-agent tight end Irv Smith and former starting center Scott Quessenberry to their practice squad on Tuesday following successful tryouts, according to league sources. Smith, a former second-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings out of Alabama, will give Houston more depth at the TE position behind Dalton Schultz, Brevin Jordan and rookie Cade Stover. He has 109 career receptions for 973 yards and 10 touchdowns in his career with the Vikings, Bengals and Chiefs, but injuries have really held him back from reaching his true ceiling. Texans center Juice Scruggs (groin), who missed the Week 2 win over the Bears on Sunday night, is on track to return this week against the Vikings, but Quessenberry will give the team more depth at the position. Quessenberry started for Houston two seasons ago when Justin Britt stepped away for personal reasons.

Monday, January 13, 11:56 PM

Los Angeles Rams tight end Davis Allen caught one of his two targets for 13 yards and a touchdown during Monday night's Wild Card win over the Minnesota Vikings. Allen had minimal playoff experience prior to this week, playing in just one playoff contest last year. He'll get an opportunity to at least double that total this season as the Rams' win gets them into the Divisional Round next week against the Philadelphia Eagles. Allen typically fills a depth role in Los Angeles, but his touchdown and the injury to Tyler Higbee (chest) could open the door for the 23-year-old Clemson product to earn more snaps and catch more passes.