The Houston Texans are hiring Buffalo Bills assistant defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire as their new defensive line coach as the replacement for Bobby King, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
Cesaire, 41, is a former Chargers defensive lineman who played for them for nine seasons before retiring. He recorded 217 career tackles, 12 1/2 sacks and three forced fumbles.
King joined the Tennessee Titans as their inside linebackers coach after coaching the Texans' defensive linemen last season.
A former undrafted free agent from Southern Connecticut State, Cesaire has coached for the Bills for the past two seasons under defensive line coach Eric Washington and defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier.
He coached the defensive line at the University of San Diego for five seasons before joining the Bills.
He takes over a defensive line that returns defensive end Jon Greenard, who led the Texans with a career-high eight sacks. The Texans' top free agent defensive lineman is tackle Maliek Collins, whom they hope to re-sign. Jacob Martin is a pending free agent who is not expected to return after some initial contract discussions during the season.
Roy Lopez had a strong first NFL season as a rookie starting defensive tackle.
Aaron Wilson is an NFL insider and analyst for Pro Football Network. He is a contributor to Sports Talk 790.
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