HOUSTON (AP) — Longtime New England nose tackle Vince Wilfork has signed with the Houston Texans.
Wilfork announced the decision on Twitter on Monday, then the Texans confirmed the signing. The 33- year-old has spent his entire 11-year career with the Patriots.
Now he’ll join a Houston unit led by Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt and that features last year’s No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney, who was injured for most of 2014.
The 6-foot-2, 325-pound Wilfork started all 16 games for the Patriots last year and had 53 tackles, two for a losses, and an interception, according to the Texans. He was a locker room leader in New England, as well.
In his tweet Wilfork, a five-time Pro Bowler, thanked the Kraft family and the Patriots, and said the coaching staff in Houston has “made this new exciting transition feel like home to us.”
Said Patriots coach Bill Belichick: “He is the best defensive linemen I ever coached, an all-time great Patriot whose place on our team will be missed, but whose remarkable career as a Patriot will be remembered forever.”
Houston also signed wide receiver Cecil Shorts III, who was with Jacksonville. He led the Jaguars with 53 catches last season for 577 yards. A four-year veteran has been Jacksonville’s leading receiver over that span.
The Texans release longtime star receiver Andre Johnson, who signed with Indianapolis.
Pats sign TE
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The New England Patriots signed free agent Scott Chandler on Monday, bolstering an already strong tight end corps.
Chandler, 29, has played in 75 games with 35 starts in his seven pro seasons. He spent the last five years with the Bills and also has been with San Diego and Dallas.
The 6-foot-7, 260-pound Chandler has 182 receptions for 2,120 yards and 17 touchdowns during his career. Last season, he made 47 catches for 497 yards and three touchdowns.
He’ll complement All-Pro Rob Gronkowski, the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2014, at the position.
49ers lose another
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers say linebacker Chris Borland is retiring.
Borland told ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” earlier Monday that he is retiring following his standout rookie season because of concerns about head trauma.
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