Ed Reed signed with the Houston Texans to much fanfare. Like most big-name veteran free-agent signings, it hasn't worked out very well.
Reed's playing time has declined, and Texans interim head coach Wade Phillips was non-committal when asked if Reed still was a starter on the team, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Shiloh Keo's playing time has increased in the last few weeks, with Reed often on the field in sub-packages. Reed did not start in last week's loss to the Indianapolis Colts, marking the first time he came off the bench since 2003.
Phillips' decision to reduce Reed's playing time is not a huge surprise. Reed has just 14 tackles, with no passes defensed or forced turnovers in six games played. Reed struggled badly against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7 and saw much less playing time after the team's Week 8 bye. Keo played 49 snaps against the Colts, and Reed played just 32 snaps. Rookie D.J. Swearinger played 63 snaps.
Reed is due $4 million next season. It's hard to imagine he'll be back in Houston, and it wouldn't be a surprise if we're seeing the final year of his likely Hall of Fame career.
The latest "Around The League Podcast" previewed "Thursday Night Football" and "stuck a fork" in the Raiders' 2013 chances.
