Twenty Texans players are slated to become free agents when the 2013 league year begins at 3 p.m. CT. on Tuesday.
Free safety
Glover Quin
, outside linebacker
Connor Barwin
, fullback
James Casey
and cornerback
Brice McCain
are among the Texans’ 19 unrestricted free agents. Tackle
Andrew Gardner
is the Texans’ only restricted free agent.
PHOTOS: Texans 2013 free agents Starting nose tackle
Shaun Cody
and inside linebacker
Bradie James
also are free agents. Other significant contributors from last season set to hit the open market include punter
Donnie Jones
, inside linebacker and special teams captain
Tim Dobbins
, running back
Justin Forsett
, cornerback
Alan Ball
, kicker
Shayne Graham
and offensive tackle
Ryan Harris
.
The Texans’ other free agents are linebacker
Jesse Nading
, safety
Quintin Demps
, tackle
Rashad Butler
, guard
Antoine Caldwell
, inside linebackers
Barrett Ruud
and
Keyaron Fox
and cornerback
Stanford Routt
.
The Texans, whose negotiations are led by general manager Rick Smith and vice president of football administration Chris Olsen, can re-sign their free agents before the start of the new league year. Those players’ agents were able to begin negotiations with other teams on Saturday via a new NFL rule, although no deals can be completed until 3 p.m. on Tuesday.
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