The Houston Texans are set to make another signing, and this time it is a player who has played for their state rivals, the Dallas Cowboys. Running back Deuce Vaughn spent last year with the Cowboys and the Denver Broncos before moving to the UFL team – Orlando Storm.

Vaughn was one of the running backs, including Blake Watson, Jordan Mims, and T.J. Harden, who were part of a workout session on Sunday, and is now on the verge of being signed by the Texans, according to KPRC 2 Houston reporter Aaron Wilson.

With the Texans’ backup running backs, British Brooks, Jawhar Jordan, Joshua Pitsenberger, and Noah Whittington, injured, the franchise needed options to complete their preseason and eventually take into the regular season. With Vaughn, they now have a player who is capable of supporting starters David Montgomery and Woody Marks.

Vaughn was picked in the sixth round in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Cowboys, with his father, Chris Vaughn, being the assistant director of college scouting. He also became the shortest running back ever drafted in the NFL at 5-foot-5 and 185 pounds.

What made his arrival to the Cowboys special is that his father was the one who made the call to draft him.

“Hey buddy, you want to come to work with me next week?” These were the words Chris Vaughn said while drafting his son. A moment that will forever be remembered by NFL fans around the world.

Though Vaughn initially showed his pace and ferociousness, he struggled to book a starting spot in the lineup, playing 14 games in two seasons with the Cowboys.

Moreover, Veterans Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders topped the depth charts, with then-rookie Jaydon Blue from the University of Texas also shining at last year’s training camp.

The Dallas Morning News reported in June 2025 that he was “fighting to get on the field” and that, despite his father being on the executive staff, he “hasn’t been given an easy road to earn roster spots.” The Cowboys finally released him in August 2025.

But how has Vaughn’s journey been ever since the Cowboys released him, which eventually put him under the radar of the Texans?

The journey of Deuce Vaughn makes him return to the NFL

Vaughn was a two-time All-American in 2021 and 2022 and won a Big 12 title with the Kansas State Wildcats, but he couldn’t really find his footing with the Cowboys, gaining 110 yards on 40 carries with the longest rushing carry being 13 yards.

But this didn’t stop him from wanting to play in the NFL, and in early September, he got his chance to have a workout session with the Denver Broncos. He was then signed to the practice squad of the Broncos, where he remained until the end of the season.

Vaughn then signed a reserve contract with the Broncos in January, 2026. But later, on May 12, he was waived alongside cornerback Will Wright to make way for veteran wide receiver Michael Woods and undrafted rookie cornerback Paul Manning.

Part of the reason for his release was the fact that Denver re-signed free-agent running backs J.K. Dobbins, Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie in March, while also picking Jonah Coleman in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

When it looked like the end of the road for Vaughn in the NFL, he signed with the Orlando Storm in the UFL on May 30, but didn’t play a single game with the team, and the Texans called him up for a workout session. He has now made a 180-degree turn and returned to the NFL.

While Vaughn has been selected as the backup running back, he will get plenty of reps during the Week 3 preseason game for Houston against the Carolina Panthers on August 28, due to the injury-plagued running back lineup of the team. He will be looking to impress the coaches with his performance and help the Texans register their first preseason win.