Matt Kalil

In need of an upgrade in pass protection after seeing franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson battered and bruised last season, the Houston Texans have turned to a veteran presence.

According to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, the Texans have signed former Minnesota Vikings and Carolina Panthers offensive tackle Matt Kalil to a one-year contract.

Kalil, 29, was released by Carolina earlier this month after two seasons. It was just back in March of 2017 that Kalil inked a five-year, $55 million deal with the Panthers. After starting all 16 games in 2017, he missed this past season to a knee injury.

When on the field, Kalil has struggled big time since jumping on to the scene as a Pro Bowl performer during his rookie season with the Minnesota Vikings back in 2012.

The former top-four pick is now looking to turn things around. He’ll be tasked with protecting a quarterback in Deshaun Watson who was sacked a league-high 62 times last season.

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An editor here at Sportsnaut. Contributor at Forbes. Previous bylines include Bleacher Report, Yahoo!, SB Nation. Heard on ESPN ... More about Vincent Frank