Roosevelt Colvin a nice late pickup for Texans

It’s rare a team can acquire a starting-caliber player in June from the free-agent market, but that’s what the Houston Texans believe they have done in signing former Patriots linebacker Rosevelt Colvin.

Colvin, 30, is a 10-year NFL veteran with 52 1/2 sacks and will join the Texans as a complement to defensive end Mario Williams. Houston ranked only 24th in total defense in the NFL last season.

“I feel like we were successful in our efforts during the offseason to address all of the areas we felt we needed to address with the exception of a situational pass rusher,” Texans general manager Rick Smith said. “I think this deal obviously does that, and I think it does it in a big way.”

Williams showed why he was the 2006 No. 1 overall pick with 14 sacks last season, tied for third in the NFL, but the Texans didn’t get much pressure on the quarterback from anyone other than him.

“My passion is rushing the passer,” Colvin said. “It’s something I feel like I do well. … I feel like I’m versatile enough to play a couple of different positions. ”

Colvin (6-3, 250 pounds) spent the last five years with New England after beginning his career in Chicago, where he was a rising star; he signed with the Patriots in 2003 after back-to-back career highs of 10 1/2 sacks with Chicago, but his first season in New England ended after just two games because of a hip injury.

Colvin bounced back to play three full regular seasons for the Patriots and led the team in sacks with seven in 2005 and 8 1/2 in 2006. Last season, he injured his foot and missed five games and all of the playoffs. New England then released him.

It appeared Colvin might be headed to Indianapolis, as that’s where his mother lives and he’s a former Purdue star, but the team couldn’t meet his demands. Coincidentally, the Texans’ Smith recruited Colvin to Purdue.

Anthony Weaver likely will still start at left end for Houston, with Colvin entering the game in passing situations.