HOUSTON — 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 long-time star receiver Andre Johnson, who signed with Indianapolis.
Pats sign TE Chandler
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — 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.
Tebow works out
with Eagles
Tebow Time in Philly?
Tim Tebow worked out Monday for the Philadelphia Eagles, two people familiar with the session told The Associated Press. Both people spoke on condition of anonymity because the workout was not made public. One of the sources said Tebow worked out at quarterback and left the facility without discussing a contract.
Considering all the offseason moves made by coach Chip Kelly, taking a look at the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner with the huge following shouldn’t be a surprise. Tebow could run zone-read plays better than Philadelphia’s four current quarterbacks.
Tebow has not been on an NFL team since the 2012 season. He was released by the Jets, then attended training camp in the summer of 2013 with the Patriots, who cut him.
One of the most successful college quarterbacks at Florida, Tebow started 14 games for Denver over two years after being selected in the first round of the 2010 draft.
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