Safety Brandon Mitchell impressed coaches last offseason to help earn a spot on the practice squad in 2007.
The Texans have signed running back Arliss Beach, linebacker Kevis Coley, center Greg Eslinger, cornerback Derrick Johnson, safety Brandon Mitchell, defensive end Eric Powell and cornerback Derrick Roberson to reserve/future contracts, it was announced today.
Beach (5-10, 219) was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent from the University of Kentucky on May 5, 2006. He spent the 2006 season on injured reserve. He was released by the Packers this spring and signed with the Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 23, 2007. He was released by Dallas on Sept. 1. Beach was signed to the Texans' practice squad on Dec. 26. While at Kentucky, Beach finished his career with 951 yards on 226 carries and 14 touchdowns.
Coley (6-1, 228) went to Southern Mississippi and was on the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad this season, before being released on Dec. 4, 2007. He signed with the Texans practice squad on Dec. 19.
Eslinger (6-3, 291) was signed to the Cleveland Browns active roster from the Denver Broncos practice squad on Nov. 14, 2007. He was inactive all four weeks he was with Cleveland before being released on Dec. 12, 2007. He was signed to the Texans' practice squad on Dec. 19.
Johnson (5-10, 188) was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round of the 2005 draft. He was released on Sept. 2, 2006 and he signed with the Texans on Sept. 21, 2006. He was released by the Texans on Nov. 1, and signed with the Falcons on Nov. 15, 2006. He was released by the Falcons on May 14, 2007 and signed with the Dolphins on May 15. He was released by the Dolphins on Sept. 1.
In his career, Johnson has appeared in 19 games with five starts. He has registered 38 tackles, one sack for 12 yards, four passes defensed and one fumble recovery.
Mitchell (6-3, 205) signed with Houston's practice squad on Sept. 3 and spent the entire season with the Texans.
Powell (6-3, 284) signed with the Detroit Lions practice squad on Dec. 17, 2005. He was signed by the Buffalo Bills on Jan. 9, 2006 and he was released by the Bills on Sept. 11, 2007.
Roberson (5-10, 175) was with the Texans during training camp and was signed to the Texans practice squad on Nov. 14.
