Advertisement

Free agent safety Aaron Williams to visit Houston Texans

By Alex Butler
Former Buffalo Bills strong safety Aaron Williams (23) has played in just 10 games since 2014 after various neck injuries. File photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI
Former Buffalo Bills strong safety Aaron Williams (23) has played in just 10 games since 2014 after various neck injuries. File photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo

June 12 (UPI) -- Veteran safety Aaron Williams will continue his free agency tour on Thursday by visiting the Houston Texans.

League sources told the Houston Chronicle that Williams would make the stop and that he is now healthy.

Advertisement

Williams, 27, was a second-round pick by the Buffalo Bills in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played six seasons in Buffalo, registering 256 tackles, 36 passes defended, seven interceptions, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a touchdown in 59 games.

The former Texas standout visited the Jacksonville Jaguars in May. He left Jacksonville without a deal, despite his link to Jaguars coach Doug Marrone. Marrone coached Williams and the Bills in 2013 and 2014.

The Bills cut Williams in March.

Williams has found it tough to stay on the field in the last few seasons, dealing with numerous neck injuries. He has played in 10 of a possible 32 games since 2014.

He was placed on injured reserve in November after an illegal crack back block from Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry. Landry was later fined more than $24,000 for the hit.

Advertisement

In October, former Bills coach Rex Ryan told WKBW that there was "some concern" that Williams' injury could be long-term.

"Is it always in the back of my mind? Of course. It's my neck," Williams told the Bills' website in July. "It's something that's life threatening, but at the same time if I wasn't 100 percent sure of being out there I wouldn't be out there. I'm out there and whatever happens, happens. I believe things happen for a reason. With that being said I just have to enjoy what I have in front of me right now."

Williams had surgery in 2015, but has since said he is not retiring.

"Once again I'm NOT retiring but I am going to return better than ever," Williams tweeted on March 10. "Now, it's the waiting game."

Williams began his career as a cornerback, but switched to strong safety in 2013.

Advertisement

The Texans currently have Corey Moore, Eddie Pleasant and Kurtis Drummond at strong safety. Houston's free safety stock includes Andre Hal, K.J. Dillon, Lonnie Ballentine and fifth-round draft pick Treston Decoud. Pleasant signed with the team as a free agent in March.

The Texans had the second-best pass defense in football last season, behind the Denver Broncos. Houston allowed the lowest first down percentage in the NFL. The Bills allowed the second-fewest touchdown passes in the AFC in 2016, trailing the Broncos in that category.

Latest Headlines