Texans sign OL Smith

The Texans signed Kansas City Chiefs free agent offensive lineman Wade Smith (74) on Tuesday.

The Texans signed unrestricted free agent guard/center Wade Smith, the team announced today.

Smith (6-4, 296) has appeared in 76 games with 34 starts along the offensive line at guard, center and tackle. He spent the last two seasons in Kansas City. Smith appeared in all 16 games and started nine games last season. The versatile lineman started two games in the middle of the season at left tackle before starting the final seven games of the season at right guard.

Kansas City averaged 140 rushing yards with Smith in the starting lineup. The Chiefs running attack averaged 147 yards per game in his last seven starts, which was 27 yards better than their season average. With Smith in the starting lineup, Kansas City rushed for 317 yards in the season finale against division rival Denver. The Chiefs' 317 yards were the third-most in the NFL last season and the team's best rushing game in 44 years.

Smith was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round (78th overall) in 2003. He spent the first three years of his career in South Florida appearing in 22 games with 18 starts. He started all 16 games as a rookie at left tackle. He played two seasons with the New York Jets (2006-07) appearing in 23 games.

Smith, a Dallas native, attended Memphis where he started the last two years of his collegiate career. He switched from tight end to the offensive line during the last two years on campus. He was named second-team All-Conference USA as a senior at left tackle where he started 12 games.