The Houston Texans announced the signing of free agent defensive tackle Damione Lewis.

Released by the New England Patriots on September 3, Lewis was one of several free agent defensive tackles that worked out for the Texans during their bye week.

Chosen by the St. Louis Rams with the 12th overall pick of the 2001 NFL Draft, Lewis' NFL career got off to a rocky start, when a broken right foot during a nationally-televised mid-November game against the Patriots landed him on injured reserve, ultimately costing him an opportunity to play against the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVI.

Lewis was a part-time starter during his first five seasons in the league before signing with the Carolina Panthers in 2006. Lewis started 36 of 62 games with the Panthers, totaling 129 tackles and 7.5 quarterback sacks.

During his nine-year career, Lewis has 244 tackles and 22.5 quarterback sacks.

The Texans also signed linebacker Stanford Keglar and promoted undrafted rookie defensive tackle Malcolm Sheppard from their practice squad. Defensive end Tim Jamison was re-signed to the practice squad.

Defensive tackle Frank Okam, a fifth-round pick in 2008, has been waived.