HOUSTON – The Texans have signed veteran defensive tackle Kurt Hinish to a one-year contract with a maximum value of $2.35 million, according to a league source.
The deal has a base value of $1.8 million.
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Hinish, 25, was scheduled to be a restricted free agent. Rather than tender him as a right of first refusal or other level, the Texans instead struck a deal for lower than the NFL tender amounts.
A former undrafted free agent from Notre Dame, Hinish is a Pittsburgh native who has recorded 57 career tackles and 1 1/2 sacks.
The 6-foot-2, 302-pounder played in 10 games last season and had 12 tackles ,two for losses. He was activated from injured reserve in October.
As a rookie, he played in 15 games with three starts and recorded 23 tackles, six for losses, one sack and two quarterback hits.
He was one of three rookies to make the opening-game 53-man roster along with linebacker Jake Hansen and fullback Troy Hairston.
For the Fighting Irish, Hinish finished his career with 83 tackles, 7 1/2 sacks and one forced fumble.
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com