HOUSTON – The Texans are signing former New England Patriots running back J.J. Taylor to their practice squad following his visit Tuesday, per a league source.
They are also signing center Lecitus Smith following a successful workout and after the team placed starting rookie center Jarrett Patterson on injured reserve, per a league source.
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Smith, 25, is a former Arizona Cardinals sixth-round draft pick from Virginia Tech. Smith (6-foot-3, 320 pounds) has played in 10 career games with two starts as a rookie last season. Smith has run the 40-yard dash in 5.18 seconds and bench pressed 225 pounds 23 times.
The Texans also worked out offensive guards Jerome Carvin, Kyle Fuller and Brent Laing.
Taylor is a former undrafted free agent from Arizona where the California native had 1,434 rushing yards and seven touchdowns as a sophomore. A former Pac-12 Conference Offensive Freshman of the Year, Taylor rushed for 3,263 career yards and 18 touchdowns.
Taylor (5-foot-5, 185 pounds) has rushed for 156 yards and two touchdowns. He has caught two passes for 20 yards and has 114 return yards.
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com