Roundup: Texans signing LB Christian Kirksey to one-year deal

Houston is adding another veteran on a short-term deal, and this time it's coming to the unit for which the Texans need the most help.

The Texans are signing linebacker Christian Kirksey to a one-year deal worth $4.5 million, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported.

Kirksey went from a key part of Cleveland's defense in his first three seasons to a player who had developed a reputation for unfortunate injuries. He left the Browns for the Packers in 2020, appearing in 11 games and his first two postseason contests of his career, but departed Green Bay as a cap casualty after the season.

The 28-year-old Kirksey joins a Houston defense that ranked 30th in yards allowed per game in 2020, serving as a sieve that Deshaun Watson was constantly forced to attempt to counter with his own heroics. Kirksey should at the very least provide experience, and perhaps improved performance, provided he can remain available.

In another defensive signing, the Texans are bringing back cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III on a one-year deal, Pelissero reported. A 2016 NFL Draft first-round pick by the Buccaneers, Hargreaves, who was acquired by Houston in 2019 off waivers from Tampa Bay, is still just 25 and started all 16 games for Houston last season with 72 tackles and seven passes defended.

Houston, as reported Thursday, is also bringing in veteran running back Mark Ingram on a one-year deal. The contract is for $2.5 million with a $500,000 signing bonus, Pelissero reported Friday. There is a $1.5 million base salary and a $500,000 per-game roster bonus with $500,000 in incentives tied to total yards for a max of $3 million.

Here is other news Around The NFL is monitoring Friday:

• The Los Angeles Chargers released starting guard Trai Turner. The 27-year-old was floated as trade bait last week but is now heading to free agency ahead of the start of the new league year. In his lone season with the Bolts, Turner started all nine games he played in. He was traded from Carolina to Los Angeles last spring and had one more year left on his deal. Turner's cut saves L.A. $11 million against the cap. Pelissero reported the Chargers aren't tendering tight end Stephen Anderson as a restricted free agent but are hoping to bring him back. The team also released linebacker Malik Jefferson.
• The San Francisco 49ers have agreed to terms on a two-year pact with cornerback Emmanuel Moseley worth up to $10.1 million, NFL Network Insider Rapoport reported. Moseley, who's been with the Niners for the duration of his career, earned 17 starts over the last two seasons. The Niners also tendered a one-year contract to exclusive rights free agent offensive lineman Daniel Brunskill and released defensive lineman Ronald Blair.
• The New England Patriots are re-signing quarterback Cam Newton to a one-year deal, Pelissero reported. New England is also extending special teamer Justin Bethel. Bethel's new deal, per Rapoport, is for three years and $6 million and includes $2.75 million guaranteed and some Pro Bowl incentives.
• The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have agreed to terms with quarterback Tom Brady on a one-year extension, Rapoport reported. The team later announced the deal. Tampa also made official the multi-year contract extension of linebacker Lavonte David, which was initially reported on Tuesday. The Bucs are also re-signing linebacker Kevin Minter to a one-year deal, Pelissero reported.
• The Kansas City Chiefs have been in discussions about bringing back offensive tackle Mike Remmers, Rapoport reported.
• The New Orleans Saints restructured receiver Michael Thomas' contract creating $8.7 million in salary-cap space, per Rapoport.
• The Las Vegas Raiders restructured the contracts of linebackers Nick Kwiatkoski (freeing up $2.7 million) and linebacker Cory Littleton ($4.4 million), per Rapoport. The team also hosted safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix for a visit. Dix previously played with the Packers, Bears and Cowboys.
• The Baltimore Ravens restructured cornerback Marcus Peters' contract, freeing up $3.5 million in cap space, per Rapoport.
• The Arizona Cardinals are bringing back cornerback Robert Alford on a one-year deal, Rapoport reported. The longtime former Falcons player was released by the Cards on Wednesday, but is making a quick turnaround back to the desert. Alford's missed the last two seasons due to injuries. Arizona will not tender wide receiver/special teamer Trent Sherfield as a restricted free agent, Pelissero reported, so he will hit the open market.
• The Green Bay Packers won't tender restricted free-agent quarterback Tim Boyle, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported. Boyle will hit free agency, leaving 2020 first-round pick Jordan Love as the lone backup to Aaron Rodgers. Packers defensive stalwarts safety Adrian Amos and linebacker Preston Smith have restructured their contracts to free up space on the salary cap, Rapoport reported. Smith's adjusted contract will see his $8 million salary broken down into a $1 million base and a $6.5 million signing bonus , among other bonuses, with a $4.4 million sack incentive, which allows Smith to exceed the $12 million he was set to earn prior to the restructure. The Packers waived fullback John Lovett with a failed physical designation, Pelissero reported via the wire.
• The Buffalo Bills, as announced Thursday, re-signed linebacker Matt Milano to a four-year contract. The deal has a base value of $41.5 million over four seasons with $21.5 over the first two years of the deal, most of it fully guaranteed, Garafolo reported. Milano can also earn $500,000 through playtime incentives and $325,000 each season if he makes the Pro Bowl, Pelissero added. The Bills are also signing offensive tackle Daryl Williams to a three-year deal, the team announced. It's worth $28 million, Rapoport reported.
• The Jacksonville Jaguars announced Friday they have re-signed starting cornerback Tre Herndon. Herndon has played three seasons in Jacksonville, the last two as a starter.
• The Miami Dolphins are signing punter Michael Palardy to a one-year deal, Pelissero reported.
• The Pittsburgh Steelers signed OL B.J. Finney to a one-year contract.
• The Atlanta Falcons re-signed tight end Jaeden Graham as an exclusive rights free agent.
• The Detroit Lions announced Friday they are releasing tight end Jesse James, who spent the last two seasons with the club following four years with the Steelers. James started 18 games over the last two seasons for the Lions and played in all 32 games in that time, which came after he was signed to a lucrative four-year, $25 million deal. The team also announced the release of cornerback Justin Coleman, which was initially reported on Thursday.
• The Chicago Bears are bringing back punter Pat O’Donnell on a one-year deal, Garafolo reported. The team later confirmed the transaction.
• The Carolina Panthers placed linebacker Thomas Davis and tight end Greg Olsen on the reserve/retired list.