2025 Defense Stats
TCKL
62
SACKS
0.0
INT
0
FF
0
TD
0
Rest-of-Season Projections
2025 Fantasy Outlook
Speed, coming off consecutive seasons with 100-plus tackles, had a few suitors during free agency. Ultimately, the lure of playing in his home state and for a well-respected former linebacker, DeMeco Ryans, brought him to Houston. Speed recorded 142 tackles, five passes defensed and one interception in 15 starts for the Colts last season. The second level of Houston's defense is teeming with talent, as Speed joins Azeez Al-Shaair, Henry To'oTo'o and Christian Harris. Read Past Outlooks
Signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Texans in March of 2025.
Reduced role in Houston
Speed recorded 62 tackles (33 solo) and one pass defensed over 16 regular-season games in 2025.
ANALYSIS
Speed's first season in Houston looked nothing like the trend he established in his final two years with Indianapolis, for whom he posted 102 and 142 tackles in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Houston's top-ranked defense operated mostly out of the nickel, which naturally limits at least one linebacker. Defensive back Jalen Pitre, who brings the physicality of a linebacker, gave the Texans more flexibility at the expense of Speed's playing time. The linebacker played 50 percent or fewer of the defensive snaps in 10 of 16 games. He'll become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason.
Speed's first season in Houston looked nothing like the trend he established in his final two years with Indianapolis, for whom he posted 102 and 142 tackles in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Houston's top-ranked defense operated mostly out of the nickel, which naturally limits at least one linebacker. Defensive back Jalen Pitre, who brings the physicality of a linebacker, gave the Texans more flexibility at the expense of Speed's playing time. The linebacker played 50 percent or fewer of the defensive snaps in 10 of 16 games. He'll become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason.
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2025 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
Texans 2025 LB Snap DistributionLoading Weekly Snap Counts...
2025 E.J. Speed Split Stats
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2024
2023
2022
2021
Speed took over as the Colts' starting weakside linebacker after the team waived Shaquille Leonard in midseason and the former backup established himself as a starter heading into 2024. Speed recorded 102 tackles (78 solo) including a sack and three forced fumbles. It was a career-best year for him in essentially every category. He'll return as the starting weak-side linebacker.
More Fantasy News
Clears injury designation
Speed (knee) has no injury designation heading into Sunday's matchup against the Raiders.
ANALYSIS
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Upgrades to limited practice
Speed (knee) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.
ANALYSIS
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Doesn't practice Wednesday
Speed (knee) did not participate at practice Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
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Not playing Week 15
Speed (knee) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.
ANALYSIS
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Questionable for Sunday
Speed (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.
ANALYSIS
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