D.J. Swearinger no longer with Texans; Pats reportedly cut Kyle Arrington
Two defensive backs – D.J. Swearinger and Kyle Arrington – are reportedly now looking for work.
Swearinger, a safety who spent the last two seasons with the Houston Texans, posted on his Instagram account early Monday that his time with the franchise has reached an end.
“One heck of an opportunity #texannation I appreciate everything and the opportunity and memories,” Swearinger wrote. “It’s time for a new chapter and the defining moment of my career!! So long #HOUSTONTEXANS.”
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Texans have been trying to trade Swearinger and will continue to do so.
As of Monday morning, the Texans have not commented on Swearinger’s post. However, general manager Rick Smith did “acknowledge general trade discussions” involving Swearinger before the NFL Draft, per the Houston Chronicle.
The 23-year-old Swearinger was the Texans’ second-round pick (No. 57 overall) in the 2013 draft and started 23 games for the team in the past two seasons. He had 73 tackles, one sack and two interceptions last season.
Elsewhere, ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss is reporting that the New England Patriots informed Arrington that he will be released.
Per Reiss, the move was mainly salary-related and a “reunion between Arrington and the Patriots in the future has not been ruled out.” The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Arrington was set to earn $3 million in 2015 with a $4.625 million cap hit.
If Arrington ends up elsewhere, he would be the fourth Patriots corner to part ways with the franchise under various circumstances since the Super Bowl. Darrelle Revis (Jets) and Brandon Browner (Saints) signed lucrative free agent deals earlier in the offseason and Alfonzo Dennard was waived last week.
Arrington, who went undrafted out of Hofstra in 2008, joined the Patriots as a practice squad member in 2009. He was later promoted to the team’s 53-man roster and made 56 starts for the team over the past five seasons.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
