Nick Caserio's continued work in his first offseason in Houston has seen him add another familiar face to the Texans' roster.
Houston is signing former Patriots running back Rex Burkhead to a one-year deal, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. The team later confirmed the move.
Burkhead spent the last four seasons in New England as a spell back and pass catcher out of the backfield for the Patriots, carrying the ball 253 times for 1,026 yards and 11 touchdowns, while also catching 96 passes for 856 yards and seven scores from 2017-2020. Prior to his time in New England, Burkhead began his career in Cincinnati, where he set career-high marks for rush attempts and yards in 2016 before heading to the east coast.
Typical of a Patriots running back in the last decade or so, Burkhead filled a role in a committee-like backfield, and he heads to a team with more than a handful of options in its own running backs room. Burkhead's addition brings Houston's total to seven at the position, and it's a group headlined by a few runners (David Johnson, Mark Ingram, Phillip Lindsay) trying to create new magic at various stages of their individual careers.
Burkhead's New England connection to Caserio makes this signing logical. We'll see this summer whether the 28-year-old can carve out a similar role with the Texans.
Elsewhere around the NFL on Tuesday:
- The Arizona Cardinals signed punter Tyler Newsome to a one-year contract and waived quarterback Cole McDonald.
- Former Washington offensive tackle Morgan Moses is visiting the Bears on Wednesday, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported. He visited the Jets last week, per Rapoport.
- The Detroit Lions signed defensive tackle Brian Price.
- The New York Jets signed former 49ers defensive lineman Ronald Blair and waived defensive lineman Sharif Finch. Blair did not play last season while recuperating from a torn ACL suffered the season prior.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians said first-round linebacker Joe Tryon, who underwent minor knee surgery in May, remains out, but is "real close" to getting on the field.
- Free-agent tight end Delanie Walker will work out with the 49ers on Wednesday, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported. The 36-year-old played for San Francisco from 2006-12. He sat out last season but said that he planned to play in 2021. The Niners signed wide receiver Andy Jones and released quarterback Josh Johnson and tight end Daniel Helm.
- The Jacksonville Jaguars announced the hire of Nick Sorensen as their new special teams coordinator. Pelissero reported last week the hire was expected.
- Denver Broncos receiver KJ Hamler was held out of OTAs on Tuesday after tweaking his hamstring. Broncos coach Vic Fangio said of the injury, "We're being very cautious with that."
- The Ravens are signing undrafted free-agent defensive lineman Jovan Swann, Pelissero reported. Swann participated in rookie camp with the Steelers and recently worked out for the Texans, Pelissero added. Baltimore also worked out veteran defensive lineman Darius Kilgo on Tuesday, per Pelissero. The team announced it has waived defensive tackle Xavier Kelly and wide receiver Donte Sylencieux.
- The Tennessee Titans announced the following staff changes: Blaise Taylor is now a pro scout, Matt Miller is a college scout, Mical Johnson is a full-time scouting assistant, Kylan Butler will be the Bill Walsh Offensive Fellowship Coach for 2021 and Kiara Mayo has accepted the Amy Adams Strunk Women in Football Training Camp internship.
- The Buffalo Bills waived wide receiver Tre Walker.
- The Carolina Panthers announced the signing of undrafted free agent C.J. Saunders, a wide receiver out of Ohio State, and waived quarterback Tommy Stevens.
