Texans to Sign Pair of Veteran Linebackers

The Houston Texans have signed veteran linebacker Jermaine Carter to a one-year deal, according to Aaron Wilson. 

Carter, 28, was a fifth-round pick by the Carolina Panthers in the 2018 NFL Draft. He spent four seasons with the Panthers before playing for the Cleveland Browns in 2022. The University of Maryland product has 194 total tackles, eight tackles for a loss, six quarterback hits and two fumble recoveries in 72 career NFL games. 

Additionally, Wilson reports that the Texans have re-signed Neville Hewitt, also to a one-year deal. Hewitt has spent the last two seasons with the Texans, after previously spending time with the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets. Now 30, Hewitt was undrafted out of Marshall back in 2015. 

DeMeco Ryans -- a former star linebacker himself -- is the new head coach for the Texans, following a successful stint as the defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers. He's tabbed Matt Burke as his defensive coordinator. Burke held the same position with the Miami Dolphins from 2017-18 under Adam Gase, with Hewitt playing for him in the first of those two seasons. 

While the Texans selected quarterback C.J. Stroud No. 2 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, Ryans and general manager Nick Caserio ultimately added five defensive players via the draft, headlined by former Alabama EDGE Will Anderson. 

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