Denico Autry Bio
Denico Autry (born July 15, 1990) is an American professional football defensive end for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and listed at 285 pounds, he has built a reputation as a disruptive pass rusher since entering the league as an undrafted free agent. Over the course of his career, Autry has suited up for the Oakland Raiders, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, and the Houston Texans, compiling 65.5 career sacks.
He played college football at East Mississippi Community College and Mississippi State, and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Oakland Raiders in 2014. Although he was not selected in the 2014 NFL Draft, Autry has developed into one of the league’s most reliable defensive ends, known for his motor, hand technique, and ability to play across multiple defensive line positions.
Early Life and Background
Denico Autry was born on July 15, 1990, in Albemarle, North Carolina, and grew up in the same small city that would later help shape his football identity. He attended Albemarle High School, where he played for the Bulldogs and emerged as one of the most productive defensive players in the region. During his senior year, Autry posted 104 solo tackles, 38 assists, 9.0 sacks, five forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries, putting himself on the radar of college recruiters across the Southeast.
His senior résumé earned him the title of All-SNAP Defensive Player of the Year, as well as Rocky River Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors. He also earned a selection to the NCCA East-West All-Star Game, signaling that his high school career was among the most decorated in Albemarle’s recent history. These accomplishments helped him secure a college opportunity despite a relatively low national profile at the time.
Path to American Football
After high school, Autry began his college career at East Mississippi Community College, playing for the East Mississippi Lions from 2010 to 2011. During his time with the Lions, he helped lead the program to a 12–0 record, a state championship, and an NJCAA national title. His dominant play at the junior college level earned him 2011 NJCAA Football All-America First-team recognition, which made him one of the most sought-after community college defenders in the country.
Following his success at East Mississippi, Autry transferred to Mississippi State, where he played for the Bulldogs from 2012 to 2013. Across two seasons in the Southeastern Conference, he appeared in 26 games and made 23 starts, recording 73 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, six sacks, and three forced fumbles. Although he went unselected in the 2014 NFL Draft, his combination of size, production, and SEC experience was enough to earn him an opportunity at the next level.
Denico Autry Career
Oakland Raiders Era (2014–2017)
Autry signed with the Oakland Raiders on May 20, 2014, shortly after the conclusion of that year’s NFL Draft. He made his NFL debut on October 2, 2014, against the Cleveland Browns, recording two tackles in the contest. He went on to play in ten games during his rookie campaign, finishing with thirteen combined tackles while adjusting to the speed and physicality of the professional game.
In 2015, Autry’s role expanded as he played in fourteen games and made eight starts, tallying 22 combined tackles, three sacks, three passes deflections, and one safety. The Raiders tendered him a one-year exclusive rights offer in March 2016, and he later signed a restricted free agent tender on April 17, 2017, continuing his development as a rotational defensive end in Oakland.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2018–2020)
On March 14, 2018, Autry signed a three-year, $17.8 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts, marking his first significant payday as a professional. His impact was immediate, highlighted by a Week 14 performance in which he recorded three sacks and two forced fumbles in a 6–0 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The following week, he added two more sacks in a 24–21 upset win over the Houston Texans, earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Autry finished the 2019 season with 32 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and a forced fumble across 14 games, although a concussion in Week 15 caused him to miss the final two contests. He returned healthy in 2020, opening the year with two sacks on Gardner Minshew in a Week 1 loss to the Jaguars and adding two more sacks on Matthew Stafford during a Week 8 win over the Detroit Lions. In the Wild Card Round of the playoffs, he recorded 1.5 sacks and forced a fumble on Josh Allen in a narrow 27–24 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Tennessee Titans Era (2021–2023)
On March 18, 2021, Autry signed a three-year, $21.5 million deal with the Tennessee Titans, joining a defense that had just finished a run to the AFC Championship. He quickly became a key piece of the Titans’ defensive front, providing veteran leadership and consistent pressure off the edge throughout his three-year tenure. In 2023, he delivered one of the most productive seasons of his career, setting a personal best and leading the team with 11.5 sacks to go along with 50 tackles and two forced fumbles.
Houston Texans Era (2024–Present)
On March 15, 2024, Autry signed a two-year contract with the Houston Texans, bringing his experience and pass-rushing presence to a young and rising defense. On July 29, he received a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy, which delayed his on-field contribution. Upon returning, he appeared in 10 games with two starts, recording three sacks and 13 combined tackles during the 2024 campaign.
Autry began the 2025 season on the PUP list while recovering from a knee injury, but was activated and made his season debut on October 20, 2025. He continues to serve as a veteran presence along the Texans’ defensive line, contributing both on the field and in the locker room as the team pushes toward postseason contention.
Driving Style and Strengths
Autry is known for his long frame, active hands, and relentless motor, traits that allow him to win at the line of scrimmage against both run and pass. He is equally effective as a defensive end in 4-3 schemes and as an interior rusher in sub-packages, giving defensive coordinators valuable flexibility. His ability to set the edge in the running game and collapse the pocket as a pass rusher has been central to his longevity across four NFL franchises.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most memorable moments of Autry’s career was his three-sack, two-forced-fumble performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2018, a game that announced his arrival as a top-tier pass rusher. His career-high 11.5 sacks with the Tennessee Titans in 2023 cemented his status as a premier defensive end. Reaching 65.5 career sacks as an undrafted player stands as one of the defining achievements of his professional journey.
Denico Autry Career Wins
While Autry’s value is measured more in disruption than in team victories, his career has been marked by signature wins and impactful individual performances. Across stops in Oakland, Indianapolis, Tennessee, and Houston, he has delivered double-digit sack seasons and game-changing plays that have shaped outcomes for all four franchises.
Team Highlights
With the Oakland Raiders, Autry contributed to a young defensive unit and built the foundation of his pass-rushing craft. In Indianapolis, he helped the Colts reach the playoffs in 2020, posting a strip-sack of Josh Allen in the Wild Card Round against the Buffalo Bills. With the Tennessee Titans, he played a leading role on a defense that consistently ranked among the AFC’s best during his three-year stint.
Denico Autry Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Denico Autry was raised in Albemarle, North Carolina, where his football journey began at Albemarle High School. Details about his immediate family have remained largely private, with the defensive end preferring to keep his personal life out of the public eye. His roots in a small North Carolina town have remained a steady influence throughout his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
Autry’s 2025 campaign with the Houston Texans began on the PUP list as he recovered from a knee injury sustained during the prior offseason. The Texans opted for a patient approach, allowing the veteran defensive end to fully heal before activating him. He was activated and made his 2025 season debut on October 20, 2025, providing an immediate boost to Houston’s pass rush.
His return adds experience and leadership to a defensive line that has emerged as one of the team’s strengths. Even in a limited role, Autry’s presence is expected to influence the Texans’ push for a deep postseason run. With his contract running through 2026, the organization views him as a key piece of its defensive identity moving forward.
