Defensive lineman D.J. Reader is not expected to return to the Houston Texans next season, according to Reid Laymance of The Houston Chronicle.

Reader has been drawing interest from the Denver Broncos, Tennessee Titans and Buffalo Bills and is expected to command a contract worth $11-13 million annually.

The 25-year-old, who played his collegiate football at Clemson, was originally selected by the Texans in the fifth round (166th pick overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft.

He played in all 16 games during his rookie campaign, registering 22 tackles and a sack.

The following year, Reader became a full-time starter and appeared in 14 contests, finishing with 47 tackles and a sack. Then, in 2018, he started all 16 games and recorded 33 tackles and a couple of sacks, and this past season, he started all 15 contests in which he played and enjoyed the best season of his NFL career, totaling 52 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

Reader spent four seasons at Clemson, arriving at the school in 2012. However, he never really emerged as a top prospect.

Article Continues Below
More Houston Texans News
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) drops back to pass during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs in a 2025 AFC divisional round game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Texans’ DeMeco Ryans fires back at C.J. Stroud injury concernsZachary Weinberger ·
Sep 29, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Ronald Darby (25) after the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Super Bowl-winning DB announces sudden retirementMike Gianakos ·
image thumbnail
3 Texans hidden gems on 2025 roster you need to knowDouglas Fritz ·
Mystery player in the middle, CJ Stroud and Nico Collins around him, Texans logo in the background
1 Houston Texans rookie who stood out most in 2025 minicampEnzo Flojo ·
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) rolls out to throw against the Kansas City Chiefs during the fourth quarter of a 2025 AFC divisional round game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Texans’ C.J. Stroud gets ‘no concerns’ take from new OCZachary Weinberger ·
Houston Texans former defensive end J.J. Watt in attendance as the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Tennessee Titans.
NFL legend JJ Watt throws down epic dunk during Pat McAfee visitJosh Davis ·

The Greensboro, N.C. native logged just 23 tackles during his freshman season, and the next year, Reader actually had his best collegiate campaign, posting 20 tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks.

But overall, Reader accumulated a modest 72 tackles, nine tackles for loss and four sacks during his tenure with the Tigers.

Houston is coming off of a 2019 campaign in which it won 10 games and captured the AFC South division title, marking its fourth division crown in five years.

The Texans then defeated the Bills in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs before falling to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round.