Denico Autry Bio
Denico Autry (born July 15, 1990) is an American professional football defensive end who currently plays for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing around 285 pounds, he has built a long career as an edge rusher despite entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2014. Over more than a decade, Autry has suited up for the Oakland Raiders, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, and Houston Texans, establishing himself as a durable and productive defender.
Born and raised in Albemarle, North Carolina, Autry traveled a non-traditional route to the NFL, beginning his college career at the junior college level before transferring to a Southeastern Conference program. His journey from small-town North Carolina to a multi-year NFL veteran reflects steady development, position flexibility, and the ability to contribute as both a base end and an interior pass rusher.
Early Life and Background
Denico Autry grew up in Albemarle, North Carolina, where he attended Albemarle High School and played for the Bulldogs football team. His senior season established him as one of the top defensive players in the region, as he finished with 104 solo tackles, 38 assists, 9.0 sacks, five forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries. Those numbers drew statewide attention and earned him several postseason honors.
Following that senior campaign, Autry was named the All-SNAP Defensive Player of the Year and the Rocky River Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He was also selected to play in the NCCA East-West All-Star game, a recognition typically reserved for the most outstanding senior football players in North Carolina.
Path to Professional Football
After high school, Autry began his college career at East Mississippi Community College, where he played for the East Mississippi Lions from 2010 to 2011. During his time there, he helped lead the Lions to a perfect 12-0 record, a state championship, and a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) national title. His dominant play at the junior college level earned him 2011 NJCAA Football All-America First-team honors.
Autry then transferred to Mississippi State, where he played for the Bulldogs from 2012 to 2013. Over two seasons, he appeared in 26 games and started 23, recording 73 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, six sacks, and three forced fumbles. Although he went undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft, his productivity and athleticism were enough to attract an opportunity at the professional level.
Denico Autry Career
Early Career (2014–2017)
On May 20, 2014, Denico Autry was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Oakland Raiders. He made his NFL debut on October 2, 2014, against the Cleveland Browns, recording two tackles in the contest. As a rookie, he appeared in ten games and finished the season with thirteen combined tackles, learning the speed and physicality of the professional game.
In 2015, Autry took on a larger role, playing in fourteen games with eight starts. He totaled 22 combined tackles, three sacks, three passes defensed, and one safety, showing growth as a pass rusher. The Raiders offered him a one-year exclusive rights tender on March 9, 2016, which he signed, and later signed a restricted free agent tender on April 17, 2017, after the conclusion of that season.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2018–2020)
On March 14, 2018, Autry signed a three-year, $17.8 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts. His time in Indianapolis produced some of the most memorable performances of his career. In Week 14 of the 2018 season, he recorded a career-high three sacks and two forced fumbles in a 6-0 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Two weeks later, he added a pair of sacks in a 24-21 upset win over the Houston Texans, a performance that earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Autry finished the 2019 season with 32 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and a forced fumble in 14 games played, though a Week 15 concussion forced him to miss the final two games. In 2020, he opened the year with sacks in a Week 1 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and added two more sacks on Matthew Stafford in a Week 8 win over the Detroit Lions. He was briefly placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list in November 2020 before being activated in early December. In the Wild Card Round of the playoffs, Autry recorded 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble on Josh Allen during a 27-24 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Tennessee Titans Era (2021–2023)
On March 18, 2021, Denico Autry signed a three-year, $21.5 million deal with the Tennessee Titans. He became a fixture on the Titans’ defensive front, playing as both an edge rusher and an interior lineman in certain packages. His most productive season came in 2023, when he set career highs with 11.5 sacks, 50 tackles, and two forced fumbles while leading the Titans in sacks.
Houston Texans Era (2024–Present)
On March 15, 2024, Autry signed a two-year contract with the Houston Texans, joining a young and rising defensive unit. His first season in Houston was challenging, as he was suspended six games on July 29, 2024, for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy. Upon returning, he appeared in ten games with two starts, recording three sacks and 13 combined tackles.
Autry began the 2025 season on the physically unable to perform list because of a knee injury. He was activated for his season debut on October 20, 2025, and returned to the defensive rotation. His veteran presence and versatility have remained valuable assets for the Texans as they continue to build around their younger core.
Driving Style and Strengths
Autry is best known for his length, leverage, and quick first step off the edge. Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall, he combines the frame of a base defensive end with the quickness to win as an interior rusher on passing downs. His ability to play multiple positions along the defensive line has allowed his teams to deploy him in a variety of sub-package roles, and his durability has made him a consistent contributor on early downs.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of Autry’s career are his 2018 AFC Defensive Player of the Week award, his 2023 career-high 11.5 sacks with the Tennessee Titans, and his 2011 NJCAA All-America selection with East Mississippi Community College. Reaching the NFL as an undrafted free agent and sustaining a starting role for more than a decade also stands as a defining milestone in his professional journey.
Denico Autry Career Wins
While defensive ends are not typically measured by traditional win totals, Denico Autry has recorded multiple standout performances throughout his career. He has tallied at least three sacks in a single game on multiple occasions, including his 2018 three-sack performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars and two-sack efforts against the Houston Texans and Detroit Lions. His 2023 season with the Tennessee Titans produced his career-best sack total and established him as one of the conference’s most productive veterans that year.
Denico Autry Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public details about Denico Autry’s immediate family are limited. He was raised in Albemarle, North Carolina, and that community played a central role in shaping his early football development. Beyond his hometown roots, broader information about his parents and siblings has not been publicly confirmed.
Personal Life
Denico Autry has kept much of his personal life out of the public eye. Verified details about his marital status, spouse, or children have not been publicly reported in reliable sources. He has instead remained focused on his professional football career and his role within the Houston Texans organization.
2025 Season Performance
Denico Autry’s 2025 season with the Houston Texans began on the physically unable to perform list, as he continued to recover from a knee injury that limited his availability the previous year. The Texans took a cautious approach with his return, preserving one of their veteran edge rushers for the stretch run of the season. Autry was activated and made his 2025 debut on October 20, providing the defense with another experienced pass rusher.
His return adds flexibility to a Houston defensive front that already features several young, ascending players. Even with limited snaps early in the season, Autry’s ability to line up at multiple positions gives the Texans more options in sub-package situations. As the season progresses, his role is expected to grow, particularly on passing downs where his length and quickness remain effective.