Jonathan Owens has always found a way.
After the 2018 NFL draft, the undrafted free agent from Missouri Western State found a way onto the Arizona Cardinals’ roster, where he stayed through the 2018 season.
At the end of the 2019 preseason, Owens was waived, and the Houston Texans stashed him on their practice squad in late September. From there, the 5-11, 210-pound safety found a way to stick around with the AFC South club, playing in seven games over the past two seasons.
Although most of Owens’ activations seen special teams playing time with 97 such snaps versus 11 on defense, the new Texans coaching staff has plans to utilize Owens more as a safety in their new Tampa 2 scheme.
“I see a very athletic safety that has come from Arizona playing the nickel, playing corner, playing safety,” safeties coach Greg Jackson said. “He’s another guy that can play multiple positions. I really like his athletic ability. He’s a smart player. He’s very studious in the classroom. He asks a bunch of questions.”
Listed as a “defensive back” on the Texans’ roster, Jackson says the coaching staff is also working on ascertaining whether Owens can be great at one position, not just good enough at an assortment of roles.
Said Jackson: “One of the things about Jonathan is that we’re trying to put him at one position and see if he can be consistent at that one position because we see all the athletic ability, it’s just a matter of giving him the opportunity to play that one position and improve each and every day.”
Owens played in six games for the Texans in 2020, and even returned a kickoff 26 yards.