LAS VEGAS: Despite the fact that the Houston Texans will not be playing in Sunday’s Super Bowl LVIII at Alligent Stadium, a few players from NRG Stadium will be familiar to fans.
At 5:30 p.m., safety Justin Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs, safety Tashaun Gipson, and receiver Chris Conley of the San Francisco 49ers will compete for a chance to win the Lombardi Trophy. In the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Reid was a steal for the Texans, coming out of Stanford. He started four seasons and was a key member of Houston’s 2018 and 2019 postseason teams.
Reid left the Texans after the 2021 season in the hopes of staying with the Chiefs. Reid signed a three-year, $31.5 million contract with the Chiefs in 2022 as a free agent following back-to-back losing seasons. With seven tackles and a pass breakup in the previous campaign, Reid played a significant role in Kansas City’s second-ever title win under Andy Reid. He’s been just as reliable a year later, recording 77 tackles, three sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble so far this season. After spending two years with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Gipson inked a three-year, $22.5 million contract with the Texans in 2019. After being a poor player, he did not live up to the hype and was eventually let go.
After turning things around with the Chicago Bears, he went back to playing at a Pro Bowl level in the Bay. He recorded 60 tackles and one interception in 16 games. In the NFC Championship, Gibson produced what may have been his greatest play of his career when he forced a fumble that allowed the 49ers to defeat the Detroit Lions. Conley spent six seasons with Kansas City and Jacksonville before signing as a free agent in 2021. two with the Jaguars and the Chiefs. In his season, he caught 22 passes for 323 yards and two touchdowns before being cut after two games in 2022.
This season, he participated in eight 49ers games. His greatest play occurred in the NFC Divisional against the Green Bay Packers, when a 17-yard reception by him set up Jake Moody’s field goal. Charles Omenihu, a former defensive end for the Texans, is a member of the Chiefs, however he will not be playing on Sunday due to an ACL tear sustained in the AFC Championship Game. It’s unfortunate because he had a strong season as Kansas City’s third-best pass-rusher.
Omenihu returned with a vengeance after serving a six-game ban; in 11 games, he produced seven sacks. Before going down due to injury, the former Texas star hurt himself in the AFC championship game by taking MVP Lamar Jackson for a crucial sack.
