The Texans announced the re-signing of two-time Pro Bowl linebacker DeMeco Ryans on Wednesday.
The Texans re-signed restricted free agent linebacker DeMeco Ryans, the team announced today. The team does not release details on player contracts.
Ryans (6-1, 250) is the franchise's all-time leading tackler with 518 total tackles in his four-year career. He has surpassed 100 tackles every year and has led the team in tackles three times. Ryans also has 7.5 career sacks, two interceptions, five forced fumbles and eight fumble recoveries.
The 25-year-old Ryans has started all 64 games in his career at middle linebacker, which ties him with defensive end Mario Williams for the longest active starting streak on the team. He either has led the team or tied for the team lead in tackles in 28 of his 64 career games and has registered 10 or more tackles in a game 22 times.
Ryans has played in two Pro Bowls (2008, 2010) and started for the AFC squad in the 2008 game. He earned second-team Associated Press All-Pro honors following the 2007 season in which he registered a team-high 127 tackles, 2.0 sacks, an interception, a forced fumble and three fumble recoveries.
Ryans was also named the 2006 Defensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press and the Pro Football Writers Association and Pro Football Weekly. The former Alabama All-American was first pick of the second round (33rd overall) in the 2006 NFL Draft by the Texans and finished his rookie season with a whopping 156 tackles, which were more than any rookie defender in the previous 20 years.
The Texans also re-signed restricted free agent defensive end Tim Bulman. Ryans and Bulman are the fifth and sixth free agents to re-sign with the Texans this offseason, joining guard Mike Brisiel, defensive tackle DelJuan Robinson, punter Matt Turk and wide receiver Kevin Walter. Houston has also signed one new free agent this offseason, guard Wade Smith.
