With Ben Tate hobbled by a hamstring injury, the Texans have claimed running back Jonathan Grimes off waivers and released inside linebacker Mister Alexander.
Grimes was released Tuesday by the New York Jets. The Texans originally signed him in May as an undrafted rookie out of William & Mary. He was released in the final preseason roster cut and signed to the Texans' practice squad, but the Jets signed him to their active roster on Sept. 25 before playing Houston in Week 5.
Grimes (5-10, 209) played in three games with the Jets. He had two carries for six yards and two catches for seven yards. He was the Texans' second-leading rusher this preseason behind Justin Forsett with 28 carries for 130 yards (4.6 average) and a touchdown. He also had six catches for 58 yards.
Tate suffered a hamstring injury against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 7. He did not practice on Monday or Wednesday coming off the Texans' bye week. Forsett was the Texans' only healthy backup to Arian Foster before the addition of Grimes.
Alexander, a Houston native who played at Florida State, played in six games this season. He had five special teams tackles. His release leaves the Texans with three inside linebackers in Bradie James, Tim Dobbins and Barrett Ruud. Outside linebacker Jesse Nading also can play inside.
