[Arky]

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Texans reach deals with three key players

Starting defensive tackle Shaun Cody is the third Texans player to re-sign with the team Thursday, a person familiar with the situation said Thursday.

Cody, who will move to nose tackle in new defensive coordinator Wade Phillip's 3-4 defense, follows starting tight end Owen Daniels and backup running back Derrick Ward as potential free agents who have returned to the team.

Cody signed a two-year, $5.75 million contract with $1.5 million guaranteed.

Daniels agreed to a four-year, $22 million contract that included $6 million guaranteed.

Daniels caught 38 passes for 471 yards and two touchdowns last season. The Texans had placed a first-round tender on Daniels on Wednesday.

Terms of Ward's one-year deal were not immediately available.

In his first season with the Texans, Ward averaged 6.3 yards per carry and scored four touchdowns behind starter Arian Foster, who led the NFL in rushing.