HOUSTON � The Houston Texans signed free agent defensive end Antonio Smith on Saturday.

Smith appeared in each regular season game and started three of four playoff games for the NFC champion Arizona Cardinals last season. He had eight tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in the Super Bowl loss to Pittsburgh.

The Texans needed someone to start opposite former No. 1 pick Mario Williams after releasing Anthony Weaver earlier this week. Weaver had just one sack in his three years in Houston.

The 6-foot-4, 285-pound Smith had 41 tackles and 3� sacks this season and has 125 tackles and 14� sacks in his five-year career.

The Texans also re-signed four of their own free agents Saturday: tight end Joel Dreessen, defensive end Stanley McClover, center Chris White and safety Eugene Wilson.