The Texans released Winston after he failed a physical. Now he's a member of the Chiefs.  (US PRESSWIRE)

On Monday, a day before free agency began, the Texans released veteran right tackle Eric Winston. The move was a surprise at the time although FoxSports.com's Alex Marvez later reported that Winston was let go because of a "failed physical" designation. Winston indicated via text message that he would be medically cleared to play in two weeks.

The Chiefs didn't need that long to sign him, however; Kansas City pulled the trigger on a deal Saturday afternoon, according to the team's Twitter feed. A few minutes later, the team announced that they had also signed quarterback Brady Quinn, who spent last season in Denver as Tim Tebow's backup.

Winston, who was considered one of the league's best right tackles before undergoing arthroscopic ankle surgery in February, sounded excited about the new gig: 


In Houston, Winston was in the fourth year of a five-year, $30 million contract and was set to make $5.5 million in 2012. He came into the league in 2006 as a third-round pick out of the University of Miami and started every game for the Texans since 2007.

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He was also part of the Houston's excellent zone-blocking offensive line (they ranked fourth in the league according to Football Outsiders), and Pro Football Focus had this to say after his release earlier this week: "He has dominated the opposition, regardless of who he lined up against. In a league that is truly low on quality tackles, Winston was that rare breed that could be relied upon week-in, week-out."

Quinn was the Browns' first-round pick in the 2007 draft. After three seasons in Cleveland that included 12 starts, a 52 percent completion rate (and a 5.4 YPA average), 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions, he was shipped to the Broncos for ... running back Peyton Hillis. 

On Wednesday, the Chiefs signed Hillis to a one-year deal. The former Browns will serve as backups in Kansas City; Hillis behind Jamaal Charles and Quinn behind Matt Cassel (and possibly second-year QB Ricky Stanzi).

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