Texans sign linebacker Christian Kirksey

Christian Kirksey (Erik Drost, Wikimedia Commons)

The Houston Texans have signed linebacker Christian Kirksey of St. Louis, Missouri according to Jordan Dajani of CBS Sports on Friday. Kirksey, a product of the University of Iowa, joins the Texans after one season with the Green Bay Packers and six previous seasons with the Cleveland Browns. The terms of the deal are for one year and worth $4.5 million.

In 2020, Kirksey played 11 games with Green Bay and had two interceptions for 18 yards, four pass deflections, two sacks, 77 combined tackles (46 solo tackles and 31 assisted tackles), two tackles for a loss and two quarterback hits. He also missed five games with a pectoral injury.

Kirksey’s most notable game last season came in a 40-14 Packers win over the Tennessee Titans on December 27. In the game that was the championship final for many fantasy football pools worldwide, Kirksey had one sack and one interception for 10 yards.

In 84 career games with the Browns and Packers over the last seven seasons, Kirksey has had four interceptions for 35 yards, 20 pass deflections, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, 13.5 sacks, 561 combined tackles (350 solo tackles and 211 assisted tackles), 32 tackles for a loss, and 24 quarterback hits.

The Texans were in need of an experienced player on their defensive line after defensive end J.J. Watt asked for his release with Houston and subsequently signed with the Arizona Cardinals on March 1. However one must realize that Watt played primarily defensive end, while Kirksey is an inside linebacker.

Kirksey is the second NFL player to join the Texans this week from another franchise. On   Thursday, the Texans signed running back Mark Ingram, who was previously with the Baltimore Ravens.

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