Waiver Wire: Texans waive linebacker, should Eagles be interested?

A linebacker is now looking for a new home late in the season.

After recurring disciplinary issues, the Texans have waived LB Zach Cunningham per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and multiple sources:

A surprise: The #Texans are releasing LB Zach Cunningham, source said.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 8, 2021

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Houston signed Cunningham to 4-year, $58M extension last season and will now eat a combined cap hit of $18.4M between this season and next.

The 27-year-old linebacker will now hit the waiver wire where a team will only have to surrender $275,000 of cap for the rest of 2021 due to Cunningham’s restructure last offseason.

Current waiver wire order:

• Detroit
• Jacksonville
• Houston
• NY Jets
• Seattle
• Chicago
• NY Giants
• Atlanta
• Carolina
• Minnesota
• New Orleans
• Philadelphia

Cunningham has recorded over 100 tackles in each of the last three seasons, including a league-leading 164 tackles in 2020. Against the pass, however, he leaves a lot to be desired. His 40.4 coverage grade this season is the lowest of his career, giving up 34 receptions for 289 yards through 10 games.

Among linebackers who have played at least 50% of the snaps, Cunningham has ranked in the bottom five in each of the last two seasons in pass coverage.

There are some glaring drawbacks to Cunningham’s game, but he’s a stout run defender and could provide some value on first and second-down for the Eagles.

I wouldn’t claim Cunningham on his current contract, but the Eagles always need help at linebacker and he’d certainly be worth a look at the veteran minimum if he clears waivers.

Zach Cunningham with a picture perfect goal line tackle 😳 @ZCunningham_LB pic.twitter.com/tWZBS2wSeq

— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) December 15, 2019

Mandatory Credit: AP Photo | Nick Wass