PHOENIX -- The Houston Texans re-signed inside linebacker Akeem Dent to a two-year deal Tuesday.

Dent came to the Texans in June from Atlanta in the T.J. Yates trade. He suffered a high-ankle sprain that limited him last season, when he had 38 tackles and a sack. Dent eventually became a starter next to Brian Cushing.

The deal is reportedly worth $4.5 million, with $2 million guaranteed.

The Texans' defensive starting group currently includes ends J.J. Watt and Jared Crick, nose tackle Vince Wilfork, inside linebackers Cushing and Dent, outside linebackers Whitney Mercilus and Jadeveon Clowney, corners Johnathan Joseph and Kareem Jackson and safeties Rahim Moore and D.J. Swearinger.

What's astounding about that group is it includes seven former first-round picks -- five of them in the front seven.

The Texans are still looking for an interior pass rusher, one who could pressure the quarterback on third downs, and some safety depth.