Texans S Grayland Arnold continues to make most of opportunities

There is a saying amongst most NFL players that goes, “If you stay ready, you never have to get ready.”

If that statement were a person, it would wear No. 35 for the Houston Texans like defensive back Grayland Arnold. Last Sunday, the former Baylor Bear was activated from the practice squad to the active roster for the first time this season against the Chicago Bears.

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“The opportunity is big, anytime you get your name called, the main thing is just being prepared, and going out there and getting the job done and doing what the coach asks,” said Arnold after practice on Thursday. “I try to be a blue-collar guy. Every day at work, I try to put in the work and be the same guy every day. It was big for my coaches to see that my work translates from the practice field to the playing field.”

Although he did not get any defensive snaps, Arnold made his presence felt on special teams by doing what he always does, wherever the football is. Late in the fourth quarter, with the Texans trailing and in desperate need to get the ball back to try to put together a game-winning or tying drive, he made a tremendous open field solo tackle on Chicago Bears punt returner Dante Pettis at the Bears’ 12-yard line.

“I saw the same Grayland on Sunday that I’ve seen on a practice squad player Wednesday, Thursday, Friday of the previous two weeks,” said Texans Special Teams coach on defensive back Grayland Arnold. #Texans #Sarge @GRAYLAND_1 @TheTexansWire pic.twitter.com/VSEgMmocuW

— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) September 30, 2022

Special teams coordinator Frank Ross attributes Arnold being active in Sunday’s game to the work and preparation he puts in during the week in practice.

“I saw the same Grayland on Sunday that I’ve seen on a practice squad player Wednesday, Thursday, Friday of the previous two weeks,” Ross told reporters during his weekly press conference. “That’s what you’re looking for. You’re looking to build depth on the roster that might not be on the active. Then you get called up, you go, and you play the same fundamentals we’re training in practice.”