National Football League

Texans sign Brown to new contract

Published Aug. 16, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

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The Houston Texans signed left tackle Duane Brown to a new contract Thursday, locking up a durable anchor to help protect Matt Schaub and open holes for Arian Foster.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed and Brown's agent, Andy Ross, did not immediately return a phone message. The Houston Chronicle and KRIV-TV first reported that the team had reached an agreement with Brown, whose contract was due to expire after this season.

The 6-foot-4, 320-pound Brown has started all but four games since the Texans drafted him with the 26th overall pick in 2008. Brown earned Associated Press All-Pro second team honors in 2011 after helping the Texans set a franchise record for yards rushing (2,448). Brown was not called for holding once last season.

''We are thrilled to have solidified our offensive line with this extension for Duane,'' Texans general manager Rick Smith said. ''We believe Duane is an outstanding young left tackle who has the determination, commitment and ability to develop into one of the NFL's top performers. It's also an exciting day for our organization. We've laid the foundation for sustained success and this is an important step in building on that and toward a championship.''

The Texans (No. 6 in the AP Pro32) play San Francisco (No. 4) in their second preseason game on Saturday at Reliant Stadium. Schaub and outside linebacker Connor Barwin also remain unsigned beyond this season.

Houston will break in new, full-time starters on the right side of the line. Brown has started all 16 regular-season games in three of his first four seasons. Schaub called Brown the best left tackle in the league before training camp began.

Brown was suspended four games in 2010 for a positive test for a supplement on the league's list of banned substances. He acknowledged then that he made a ''naive'' mistake and was scared straight by ''the longest four weeks of my life.'' Offensive line coach John Benton says Brown has shown a new level of maturity and leadership since returning from the suspension.

Brown seems to have luck on his side, too, lately. Early in camp, Brown got tangled in a pile and came out limping. An MRI exam showed only a bone bruise in his lower left leg, and Brown was back at practice the following week.

Brown married radio host and MTV personality Devon ''Devi Dev'' Anjelica in Southern California in July and the two went on a weeklong honeymoon in Thailand. His wife acknowledged him on Twitter soon after news of his contract leaked out.

''Congrats to the man I love @DuaneBrown76 on a well deserved new contract,'' she wrote. ''*Houston Texas, home of the Texans.*''