Texans sign OL Little, DB Phillips, resign LB Hewitt

The Houston Texans announced they have signed offensive lineman Greg Little and defensive back Darius Phillips to contracts, and the re-signing of veteran linebacker Neville Hewitt.

Little, 25, is an offensive tackle with local roots. He starred at Allen High School, where he protected Kyler Murray on a team that won back-to-back state championships. He played collegiately at Ole Miss, replacing current Texans left tackle Laremy Tunsil. He was a second-round pick of the Carolina Panthers in 2019.

Little has dealt with injuries, with his first three seasons in the NFL ending with him on injured reserve. While able to play both tackle positions, last season, he played well at right tackle but struggled on the left side while a member of the Miami Dolphins.

Little will compete for a backup/swing tackle role.

Phillips, 27, is a former fifth-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2018. He posted four interceptions in 2019 for the Bengals and in 2021 served as a punt returner for the team. He saw very little playing time with the Broncos in 2022. Phillips has also dealt with injuries, as a knee injury cost him two months of his 2019 season, and he ended the 2020 and 2022 seasons on IR.

Phillips will compete for backup corner duties and punt returns.

In a corresponding move, the Texans announced they waived wide receiver Drew Estrada.

Houston is also bringing back reserve linebacker Neville Hewitt. Hewitt signed with the Texans in 2021 and signed a one-year deal to remain with the team last offseason. He started five of the 17 games he played during the 2021 season and appeared exclusively in a reserve role last year.

In his 31 games with the Texans, Hewitt has 74 tackles and a forced fumble.

Hewitt will compete for a reserve role in training camp.