Defensive back Kris Boyd, who was expected to be a core special-teamer, was placed on season-ending injured reserve due to a shoulder injury suffered Aug. 2 during an intra-squad scrimmage.

Boyd signed a one-year, $1.6 million free agent contract that included $333,000 guaranteed after playing in all 17 games for the Texans last season.

Boyd’s absence opens up a spot at the bottom of the 53-man roster for another defensive back and special-teamer, which could be former sixth-round pick Jarrick Bernard-Converse or Jarius Monroe.