HOUSTON – The Texans are signing veteran linebacker Nick Niemann to a two-year, $6.5 million contract, per a league source.
The defending AFC South champions were looking for depth at linebacker and on special teams with linebacker Neville Hewitt unsigned and had briefly explored the option of former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who signed with the Denver Broncos as a free agent.
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His contract includes $4 million total guaranteed with a $1.5 million signing bonus, salaries of $1.5 million (fully guaranteed) and $2.5 million ($1 million fully guaranteed. He has $14,706 per game active in roster bonuses annually, plus an annual $250,000 playtime incentive.
Niemann is a former Chargers sixth-round draft pick from Iowa whose four-year, $3.7 million rookie contract had expired.
He played in 13 games last season and recorded 21 tackles with one pass defensed.
Niemann, 27, is a 6-foot-3, 244-pound off-ball linebacker who has played in 64 career games with three starts. He has made 86 career tackles, one for a loss with one quarterback hit.
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.
