Former Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Steven Nelson joined the Texans on a two-year, $10 million contract, according to a league source.
Nelson recorded 50 tackles and one interception last season.
Nelson, who ha also started for the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers, visited the Texans on Monday. It was the same day that Texans coach Lovie Smith acknowledged the need to upgrade the play at the cornerback position.
'Our play at the cornerback position last year was not good enough, simple as that," Smith said. "We can’t play the type of football that we want to play until we get better at the cornerback position, I will say that."
Two days later, Nelson was officially signed to a contract after agreeing to terms Tuesday night.
"It means a lot," Smith said Wednesday night." We're excited to add a veteran player, and he's excited, too."
Nelson has played in 98 games in his career, recording 341 total tackles, eight interceptions, and 59 pass deflections.
With his one-year, $3 million contract expired, Nelson became an unrestricted free agent.
"Steve's done a great job in terms of coming in each day, being focused, just continuing to learn, work on his craft day in and day out," Eagles safety Anthony Harris said last season. "Then just having fun. What he's been able to do for us in terms of playing opposite of Darius Slay this year, he's been very helpful, also helping with the young guys, pulling everybody else along.
"I think he's not really focusing on [anything] outside, whether it's playing on a one-year deal or any other things of that sort. He's really just focused on enjoying the game, enjoying the room that he's in and everybody trying to work to be the best players we can be."
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