Houston Texans add veteran linebacker to DeMeco's defense
TEXANS FREE AGENCY
21 March 2023
The Texans have been extremely active in free agency. Composite image by Brandon Strange.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, The Houston Texans are signing veteran linebacker Cory Littleton to a 1-year, $2.7 million contract.
The #Texans are signing LB Cory Littleton for one year at up to to $2.7M, per source. The former Pro Bowler had 47 tackles for Carolina last year.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 21, 2023
The 29-year-old linebacker played last season with the Carolina Panthers, starting 7 games and appearing in 15. He recorded 47 tackles and 2 QB hits.
Littleton spent the first 4 years of his career with the Rams, and went to the Pro Bowl in 2018. He then played 2 seasons with the Raiders before joining the Panthers last season.
PFT is reporting that he played 61% of the Panthers' special teams snaps, and 32% of the defensive snaps in 2022. So it wouldn't be a surprise at all if he's used on special teams with the Texans as well.
Coach Ime Udoka has agreed to a contract extension with the Houston Rockets, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Thursday.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal hadn’t been announced. No details on the terms of the contract were available.
The move comes after Udoka led the Rockets to the second-best record in the Western Conference this season and their first playoff berth since the 2019-20 season. Houston made a remarkable turnaround in his two seasons in charge after being among the worst teams in the NBA the three seasons before his hiring.
The Rockets, who won just 42 games combined in the two seasons before Udoka was hired, went 41-41 in his first season before going 52-30 this season for their first winning record since 2019-20. Houston lost to the Golden State Warriors in seven games in the first round of the playoffs this season.
Udoka led the Boston Celtics to the NBA Finals in 2022, then was suspended for the following season after the disclosure of an inappropriate relationship with a female Celtics employee.
The 47-year-old was hired in April 2023 to replace Stephen Silas, who was fired after three losing seasons.
ESPN was first to report the contract extension.
