Houston Texans to Sign Former Cowboy Bradie James

The Houston Texans are on the verge of signing free agent linebacker and former Dallas Cowboy Bradie James.

James, 31, spent his entire nine-year career with Dallas.

He played Mike linebacker, current Texan Brian Cushing’s position, for the Cowboys under now Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips and linebackers coach Reggie Herring.

James had more than 100 tackles in each season under Phillips from 2007-10, and led all NFL inside linebackers with 8.0 sacks in 2008.

He started 13 games for the Cowboys last season but had only 44 tackles under defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, which was his lowest total since 2004, his second NFL season.

James is expected to compete with Darryl Sharpton for the starting weak-side job that’s available since DeMeco Ryans was traded to Philadelphia. Sharpton is recovering from season-ending surgery for a torn quad muscle.

The Texans also re-signed veteran linebacker Tim Dobbins on Thursday.