Free agent linebacker Rosevelt Colvin, who visited the Texans last Wednesday, celebrates a sack in the 2006-2007 AFC Championship Game against the Colts.
The Texans continue to engage in talks with unrestricted free agent outside linebacker Rosevelt Colvin (6-3, 250), the team said at the conclusion of OTA practices this week.
Colvin, 30, could provide an edge pass-rushing presence opposite defensive end Mario Williams. He had four sacks and one interception in 10 starts for the AFC champion New England Patriots last season, but was placed on injured reserve with five games left in the season due to a foot injury. Colvin led the Patriots with 8.5 sacks in 2006 and with 7.0 sacks in 2005.
"(Talks) are ongoing, yes," Texans general manager Rick Smith said. "I talked to Kennard (McGuire, Colvin's agent). I've stayed in contact with him, and so we will continue to explore that option and see if it's something that we can come to an agreement on."
Smith has a working relationship with McGuire, who lives in Houston. The agent also represents wide receiver André Davis, who earlier this offseason signed a four-year deal to remain with the Texans. Smith also recruited Colvin to play at Purdue when Smith was a member of the Boilermakers' coaching staff in 1995.
But the Texans' general manager told the media that little has changed in the past week in the team's conversations with Colvin.
"We've talked," Smith said. "We've got good conversations going. You know my relationship with Kennard, my relationship with Rosevelt, and so if it's something that we feel like we ought to do, then we'll move on it."
For his career, Colvin has played in 117 games with 75 starts over nine seasons for the Chicago Bears (1999-2002) and Patriots (2003-2007), amassing 52.5 sacks and 360 tackles. He recorded consecutive 10.5-sack seasons in his final two seasons with Chicago, leading the Bears in sacks both times, but missed much of the 2003 season with a hip injury.
Colvin visited the Indianapolis Colts prior to meeting with Houston, and also has been linked in media reports to interest from the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets.
"We are still talking to him," Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said. "I think we are still a part of his decision process. We will wait to see what happens."
Click **here** to listen to Smith talk about Colvin in Tuesday's "Texans Today" podcast.
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