The Texans have signed 33-year old kicker Neil Rackers to a 2-year deal worth up to $4.1 million bucks but only $350,000 is guaranteed.  Rackers will battle Kris Brown for the starting job in 2010.  Rackers played in 14 games for the Cardinals last season and he connected on 16 of 17 field goals (94.1%) and 37 of 38 extra points good for 85 points.  He has now played in 148 games in his NFL career and he has connected on 205 of 262 field goals (78.2%) and 290 of 295 extra points good for 905 points.  Rackers has been a pretty good kicker since getting out of Cincinnati so he will push Brown for his job and competition is always a good thing.

The Texans have signed 28-year old G/T Wade Smith to a 4-year, $12 million dollar deal.  He played in 16 games (9 starts) for the Chiefs last season.  He has now played in 74 games (34 starts) in his NFL career.  Smith will likely start at one of the guard spots for the Texans this season.

The Texans have placed 23-year old strong safety Dominique Barber on the Injured Reserve List ending his season due to a hamstring injury.  Barber played in 13 games this season for the Texans and he made 33 tackles, defensed 4 passes and he had 1 interception.  The Texans have re-signed 31-year old safety Brian Russell to replace Barber on the roster.  Russell played in 2 games for the Texans earlier this season making 1 tackle.  He has played in 11 games overall this season with the Jags+Texans in which he has 13 tackles.

The Texans have signed 32-year old long snapper Bryan Pittman.  Pittman played in 4 games (0 starts) for the Falcons this season before being cut.  He played his first six years in the NFL for the Texans working in 92 games (0 starts).  Pittman will replace Joel Dreessen as the long snapper as Dreessen is now the starting TE for the Texans.  This was a good move for the Texans.

The Texans have signed 34-year old safety Brian Russell.  Russell played in 9 games for the Jaguars this season making 12 tackles.  He has now played in 117 games in his NFL career and he has made 474 tackles, defensed 39 passes, has 3 sacks, forced 3 fumbles and he has 16 interceptions.  Russell should be able to help the Texans out on special teams and give them depth at safety.