Texans shuffle linebacker corps: Denzel Perryman back at Mike, Tavierre Thomas back as primary nickel

HOUSTON – The Texans are shaking things up at linebacker

Denzel Perryman has been shifted back to his natural Mike linebacker position after a brief and unsuccessful experiment with him at Will linebacker, albeit with a broken hand and a cast, before being inactive against the New Orleans Saints.

The Texans also list Blake Cashman, the AFC Defensive Player of the Week after recording a career-high 15 tackles with two tackles for losses and two passes defensed against the Saints, as the first-string Will linebacker.

And rookie linebacker Henry To’oTo’o has been shifted to Sam linebacker. He leads the Texans with 45 tackles, but has allowed 21 receptions on 26 targets for 212 yards and one touchdown for an opposing passer rating of 113.5.

Tavierre Thomas, out the past four games with a broken hand and now out of the cast after undergoing hand surgery, is the starting nickel again with Jimmie Ward moving back to safety after playing nickel against New Orleans.

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com