While most starters for the Houston Texans on offense and defense will sit against the Los Angeles Chargers, the same goes for the kicking position. According to the Texans' transaction sheet, Houston has signed UConn kicker Chris Freeman and waived Montrell Washington. Freeman is expected to kick in favor of Ka'imi Fairbairn on Thursday when the Bolts arrive and could remain with the team through the majority of the preseason. Fairbairn isn't in jeopardy of losing his job. Last season, he was one of the X-factors for Houston's offense, helping the Texans secure a 12-win campaign and third consecutive playoff bid.
#Texans make it official, signing former Connecticut kicker Chris Freeman and waived Montrell Washington. Freeman was at team's rookie minicamp @KPRC2pic.twitter.com/O9ByaiQp53 — Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 12, 2026 If anything, Houston knows how lucky it is to have Fairbairn in the wings, so pressuring him to kick could end up being a massive mistake if he gets hurt. Freeman, who made 88.5 percent of his field goals last season with the Huskies, could use the preseason as an opportunity to audition for another team around the league. And yes, all 31 other teams could be interested since the Texans reached an agreement with Fairbairn in the offseason on a two-year, $13 million contract, making him the league's highest-paid kicker starting next season, surpassing Buffalo Bills' Tyler Bass and Kansas City Chiefs' Harrison Butker. The Texans kick off Thursday at Reliant Stadium at 7 p.m. The game will be locally televised on ABC. This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans to rest Ka'imi Fairbairn, sign UDFA kicker Chris Freeman