Denico Autry

Denico Autry Bio

Denico Autry (born July 15, 1990) is an American professional football defensive end currently playing for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). The Albemarle, North Carolina native stands 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 285 pounds. Autry played college football at East Mississippi Community College and Mississippi State before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Oakland Raiders in 2014.

Early Life and Background

Denico Autry grew up in Albemarle, North Carolina, where he attended Albemarle High School. As a senior for the Bulldogs, Autry recorded an impressive 104 solo tackles, 38 assists, 9.0 sacks, five forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries. His dominant defensive performance earned him multiple honors, including All-SNAP Defensive Player of the Year, Rocky River Conference Defensive Player of the Year, and a selection to the NCCA East-West All-Star game.

Path to American Football

After high school, Autry began his college career at East Mississippi Community College, suiting up for the Lions from 2010 to 2011. He made an immediate impact, helping lead the Lions to a perfect 12-0 record, a state championship, and the NJCAA national title. His stellar play earned him recognition as a 2011 NJCAA Football All-America First-team selection.

Autry then transferred to Mississippi State University, where he played for the Bulldogs from 2012 to 2013. Over two seasons, he appeared in 26 games, starting 23 of them. He recorded 73 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, six sacks, and three forced fumbles, demonstrating the disruptive pass-rushing ability that would define his professional career.

Denico Autry Career

Oakland Raiders (2014–2017)

Autry entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent, signing with the Oakland Raiders on May 20, 2014. He made his NFL debut on October 2, 2014, against the Cleveland Browns, recording two tackles in limited action. Autry played in ten games during his rookie season, accumulating 13 combined tackles.

The 2015 season saw Autry’s role expand significantly. He appeared in 14 games, starting eight, and recorded 22 combined tackles, three sacks, three passes deflections, and one safety. The Raiders offered Autry a one-year exclusive rights tender on March 9, 2016, which he signed. After the 2017 season, the team tendered him as a restricted free agent, and he officially signed his tender on April 17, 2017.

Indianapolis Colts (2018–2020)

On March 14, 2018, Autry signed a three-year, $17.8 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts. He made an immediate impact with his new team. In Week 14 of the 2018 season, Autry recorded three sacks and two forced fumbles in a 6-0 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The following week, he added a pair of sacks in a 24-21 upset win over the Houston Texans, earning him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Autry continued his solid play in 2019, finishing the season with 32 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and a forced fumble in 14 games. He sat out the final two games after suffering a concussion in Week 15. In 2020, he returned from injury and recorded his first two sacks of the season against Gardner Minshew in a Week 1 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He added two more sacks against Matthew Stafford in a Week 8 win over the Detroit Lions. Autry was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on November 20, 2020, and activated on December 3. In the Wild Card Round of the playoffs against the Buffalo Bills, he sacked Josh Allen 1.5 times and forced a fumble during the 27-24 loss.

Tennessee Titans (2021–2023)

On March 18, 2021, Autry signed a three-year, $21.5 million deal with the Tennessee Titans. He became a consistent presence in the Titans’ defensive line rotation. In 2023, Autry achieved a career-high performance, recording a team-leading 11.5 sacks, 50 tackles, and two forced fumbles. This breakout season demonstrated his continued effectiveness as a pass rusher in his mid-30s.

Houston Texans (2024–Present)

On March 15, 2024, Autry signed a two-year contract with the Houston Texans, joining the franchise’s rebuilding effort under a new coaching staff. His tenure got off to a challenging start when he was suspended six games on July 29, 2024, for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy. Upon returning from suspension, Autry appeared in ten games with two starts, recording three sacks and 13 combined tackles.

The 2025 season began with Autry on the Physically Unable to Perform list due to a knee injury. He was activated for his season debut on October 20, 2025, providing the Texans’ defensive line with veteran experience and pass-rushing ability for the stretch run of the season.

Playing Style and Strengths

Autry is known as a disruptive interior pass rusher with the ability to collapse the pocket and pressure quarterbacks. His 6-foot-5 frame allows him to use leverage effectively against smaller offensive linemen. Autry’s hands and upper-body strength enable him to shed blocks and make plays in the backfield. His career-high 11.5-sack season with Tennessee demonstrated his ability to be a primary pass-rushing threat rather than solely a rotational player.

Notable Events and Milestones

Autry’s AFC Defensive Player of the Week award following his two-sack performance against the Houston Texans in 2018 stands as one of his most notable individual honors. His consistent production across multiple teams, including his 65.5 career sacks, highlights his reliability as an NFL defender. The suspension he served in 2024 marked a significant obstacle, but he returned to contribute in a reserve role for the Texans.

Denico Autry Career Wins

Across his NFL career with four franchises, Autry has compiled impressive statistics that reflect his consistent production as a defensive end. His 65.5 career sacks rank among the top totals for active players at his position.

NFL Highlights

Autry’s career statistics as of the 2025 season include 331 total tackles, 65.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and 35 pass deflections. His most productive season came in 2023 with the Tennessee Titans, where he recorded a career-high 11.5 sacks. The Indianapolis Colts tenure featured his signature performance, a multi-sack game against Jacksonville that earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. His ability to force fumbles (eight career) highlights his disruptive presence in opposing backfields.

Other Achievements

Before his NFL career, Autry helped East Mississippi Community College capture an NJCAA national championship and went undefeated at 12-0 in 2011. He earned NJCAA Football All-America First-team honors that season. At Mississippi State, he was a consistent starter who showed promise as a pass rusher with six sacks over two seasons.

Denico Autry Family

Family Background

Public records indicate Autry was born on July 15, 1990, in Albemarle, North Carolina, to parents whose names are not widely reported in public sources. His family background and any racing lineage have not been documented in available media profiles.

Personal Life

Specific details about Autry’s marital status, spouse, or children are not publicly available. He maintains a relatively private personal life away from social media. Autry’s focus on football has been evident throughout his career, which has spanned over a decade at the professional level.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season presented immediate challenges for Autry after he began the year on the Physically Unable to Perform list with a knee injury sustained during the offseason. His activation on October 20, 2025, marked his return to the field for the Texans. The veteran defender provided depth and experience to a young Houston defensive line as the team pushed for playoff positioning in the second half of the season. Autry’s ability to contribute after the lengthy injury absence demonstrated his durability and commitment to returning to form. His veteran presence in the locker room offered valuable leadership to a Texans franchise building toward sustained competitiveness.