HOUSTON (Reuters) - Former Heisman Trophy winner and free agent Matt Leinart has signed a one-year contract with the Houston Texans, the NFL team said on Tuesday.
Quarterback Leinart, the 10th overall pick in the 2006 draft, was released by the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday after entering their training camp as the starter.
"He's obviously a talented young man to have been the 10th pick in the draft," Texans coach Gary Kubiak told the team's website (http://www.houstontexans.com).
"Those things happen in this business, and it's a chance for him to get a fresh start. We're getting a very smart player who has been productive."
Having led USC to two national championships and a 37-2 record, Leinart made an immediate impact with Arizona in 2006, starting 11 games as a rookie and throwing for 2,547 yards with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
The 27-year-old Leinart will be the number three quarterback for the Texans, behind 2009 Pro Bowler Matt Schaub and Dan Orlovsky.
(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Frank Pingue)
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