The Texans and free agent inside linebacker Joe Mays have agreed to terms.
General manager Rick Smith said so Tuesday morning during a Texans Radio interview, and the addition of the former Bronco helps bolster a position that has been tested by injuries this offseason. Captain Brian Cushing is practicing after missing 11 games in 2012 with a knee injury, while fellow inside linebacker Darryl Sharpton is recovering from a groin injury.
"He is a physical inside 'backer," Smith said. "If you look at this guy he's well-proportioned and well put together. He's compact. A physical presence at the point. He can run and has some ability in coverage as well."
Smith said Mays should be on the field with the team Wednesday morning.
Cushing spoke after Tuesday's practice and was enthused by the Mays news, saying that the team is better with him in the fold.
"I think he could potentially be a starter and he's a very good special teams player," Cushing said. "Anytime you do something like that, we upgrade our team and our linebacker room."
Mays started four games for Denver last season, and fractured his left fibula in late October. He tallied 19 total tackles in 2012. In 2011 with the Broncos, Mays played in 16 games with 12 starts, and finished with 75 tackles. He was drafted in 2008 by Philadelphia in the sixth round after playing in college at North Dakota State.
Head coach Gary Kubiak is glad to have Mays on the squad, and likes the experience he can bring.
"He's a veteran player," Kubiak said. "The bottom line is we've got a need for some experience right now with what's going on with our linebacker situation. Just pleased to get him."
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