The Texans Just Brought in a Familiar Vikings Face
Nick Muse might be on the move.
The Texans just brought in a familiar ex-Vikings TE for an audition, creating intrigue about whether the man could land on the practice squad.
The former Vikings tight end most recently played for the Philadelphia Eagles before an unfortunate summer roster cut, but with any luck, Muse will land on his feet in Houston.
The Texans afforded Muse a tryout this week.
Texans Take a Look at Ex-Vikings Tight End
Muse might have a job by end of business Tuesday.
Nick Muse Auditions for Texans’ Roster
Houston kicked the tires on Muse and others on Tuesday.
KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson wrote, ‘The Texans are working out wide receivers Mike Woods and Rakim Jarrett and tight end Nick Muse on Tuesday, according to league sources.”
“Woods is a former Cleveland Browns sixth-round draft pick from Oklahoma. An Arkansas transfer, Woods has caught 12 passes in the NFL for 110 yards. Woods (6-foot-1, 204 pounds) has 4.37 speed in the 40-yard dash.”
If Muse parleys the audition into a contract, he’d likely hit the Texans’ 2025 practice squad.
A Summer Roster Cut by the Eagles
Not long ago — early August — Eagles fans had big plans for Muse. He never took a regular season or playoff snap in Philadelphia despite being added to the Eagles’ practice squad in January, smack dab in the middle of a Super Bowl run. Muse actually earned a Super Bowl ring and signed a short-lived futures deal with the club in February.
And this summer, Muse turned heads at training camp and in the preseason — not unlike his mini-career in Minnesota.
But last week, the Eagles revealed their 53-man roster, with Nick Sirianni and Co. retaining Kyle Granson over Muse at TE3.
Muse’s Time in Minnesota
Minnesota drafted Muse in 2022 from the 7th Round. Most of that 2022 draft class has evaporated for the Vikings. Only running back Ty Chandler and wide receiver Jalen Nailor remain on the active roster.
Muse was on deck for TE3 or TE4 duty in the Twin Cities early in his career, but head coach Kevin O’Connell always retained veteran Johnny Mundt on his depth chart. Muse eventually became expendable accordingly, and Minnesota waived Muse on his birthday last November.
All told, Muse saw action in 16 Vikings games, with 19 offensive snaps and 184 on special teams. He has caught one pass for 22 yards in his career.
The Texans’ TEs
Here’s the current lay of the land in Houston at tight end:
- Dalton Schultz
- Cade Stover
- Harrison Bryant (PS)
- Luke Lachey (PS)
- Irv Smith Jr. (IR)
- Brevin Jordan (IR)
Injuries to Smith Jr. (another familiar name among Vikings fans) and Jordan apparently prompted the Muse audition.
The Skinny on Muse Earlier This Summer
Some Eagles-themed media thought Muse might make the active roster as the next big thing not long ago.
Inside the Iggles‘ Anthony Miller wrote last month: “There have been plenty of standout performances from training camp for the Philadelphia Eagles, but one player who was a breakout star in minicamp has had a quiet camp that might cost him a spot on the roster by the end of the month.”
“Eagles tight end Nick Muse was once seen as a sleeper pick in training camp after performing well in offseason workouts. Now, Muse is looking at the opportunity to be cut from the team as he is in a battle with Kylen Granson and Harrison Bryant for the TE3 job.”
Much like Lucky Jackson for the Vikings, summer hype and preseason performance did not transfer to a roster spot for Muse in Philadelphia.
Miller added, “The former 2022 seventh-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings is looking to finally make an impact on an NFL roster after just one catch for 22 yards in 16 career games. Muse was released by the Vikings last year, but picked up by the Eagles to be on their practice squad and win a Super Bowl for the team.”
“Now he’s in a massive battle at training camp to earn the final tight end spot. Early indications have been that no one at tight end has separated themself. Granson seems to be getting more buzz than the other tight ends behind Dallas Goedert and Grant Calcaterra.”
Muse will turn 27 in November and has an outside shot of returning to the Vikings’ practice squad sometime in 2025 if injuries emerge at tight end, and he doesn’t land a practice squad gig in Houston.
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