Both the Raiders’ 2020 first-round picks flamed out of the NFL quickly, but Damon Arnette will receive another chance. After drawing NFL interest, the recent UFL cornerback is signing a one-year deal with the Texans, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reports.
This will allow Arnette to remain in Houston, as he played with the UFL’s Houston Roughnecks during the league’s second season. The Texans brought Arnette in for a visit earlier this month, and they saw enough from his UFL tape to sign off on what is a fourth NFL chance. Arnette has not played in the NFL since 2021.
Already struggling to justify his first-round value in Las Vegas, Arnette saw his NFL path change when he was shown brandishing a gun in a social media video during the 2021 season. The Raiders waived Arnette not long after cutting Henry Ruggs, whose involvement in a fatal drunk-driving accident led to a prison sentence. This came during a period in which the Raiders missed on a few first-rounders, with Clelin Ferrell, Johnathan Abram and Alex Leatherwood significant missteps during the Jon Gruden 2.0 period.
Multiple teams gave Arnette opportunities following his Vegas exit, as the Dolphins and Chiefs added him. But the Ohio State product did not make his way into any games following his Raiders tenure. Known for having a rather strong tolerance for off-field trouble, the Chiefs quickly cut bait on Arnette after a 2022 arrest for assault with a deadly weapon. He had been off the NFL radar since that January 2022 transaction. Arnette reached a plea bargain that led to community service as a result of that arrest, and Wilson adds another arrest — for possession of methamphetamine and the unlawful carrying of a firearm — occurred in January 2024, leading to uncertainty the UFL would provide him an opportunity.
Arnette started seven games as a rookie but did not lock down a starting job in Year 2; the Raiders used him in just four games during the latter season, as it became clear they needed to make other plans at corner. His rebound opportunity with the Roughnecks, however, will at least garner him another shot. This comes a year after the Cowboys signed former Raiders first-rounder Gareon Conley, though the ex-Buckeye did not make Dallas’ 53-man roster after his UFL stay.
Now 28, Arnette is coming off a UFL season in which he broke up five passes and notched a pick-six against the Birmingham Stallions. He joins a Texans team that recently saw Ronald Darby backtrack on a free agent signing and ultimately retire. The Texans have Kamari Lassiter and Jalen Pitre in place at corner alongside Derek Stingley Jr. Arnette joins Tremon Smith and Myles Bryant as notable backup options, as Houston did not draft a corner this year.