Damon Arnette has a chance at redemption in the NFL.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Houston Texans are expected to sign the former Ohio State cornerback following his standout season with the UFL's Houston Roughnecks.
NFL comeback story: #Texans are expected to sign former #Raiders first-round CB Damon Arnette, per source, who now returns to the NFL for the first time since 2022.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) June 18, 2025
Arnette just finished playing with the UFLs Houston Roughnecks, recording 18 tackles, a sack, and a pick-six. pic.twitter.com/TPWXyfQket
A second-team All-Big Ten honoree at Ohio State, Arnette was the No. 19 overall pick to the Oakland Raiders (now Las Vegas Raiders) in the 2020 NFL draft. Amid his second NFL season, Arnette's football career unraveled after a video surfaced of him brandishing a firearm and threatening to kill someone.
Despite receiving second chances with the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs, Arnette's legal troubles continued with a 2022 arrest in Las Vegas after he assaulted someone with a deadly weapon. He received one count for possessing a concealed weapon without a permit and two counts for possessing controlled substances. The issues culminated in a 2023 plea deal that included 50 hours of community service and fines. The Chiefs also released Arnette from their roster.
During his hiatus from professional football, Arnette was arrested a third time, receiving charges for possessing methamphetamine and an unregistered firearm in January 2024.
Over a year later, Arnette signed with the Roughnecks for the 2025 UFL season. He became one of the team's standout performers, recording 18 tackles, one sack and a pick-six.
Now expected to sign with Houston, Arnette will join several former Buckeyes on the Texans: quarterback C.J. Stroud, tight end Cade Stover, defensive tackle Tommy Togiai and wide receiver Xavier Johnson.
