Texans sign Gooden, Tarpinian, Graham, Karim and Johnson

The Houston Texans have signed five players: running backs Deji Karim, Dennis Johnson and Ray Graham and linebackers Tavares Gooden and Jeff Tarpinian.

They placed linebacker Brian Cushing on injured reserve with a broken leg and torn lateral collateral ligament.

Karim is a former Jacksonville Jaguars sixth-round draft pick. Johnson was signed off of the Clevleand Browns' practice squad and this is his second stint with the Texans.

Graham was promoted from the Texans' practice squad.

The running backs were needed with Arian Foster and Ben Tate hampered by hamstring and rib injuries.

Gooden is a former Baltimore Ravens third-round draft pick who last played for the San Francisco 49ers.

Tarpinian is a former New England Patriot who was cut recently from the Carolina Panthers' practice squad.

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Aaron Wilson covers the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun.

Aaron Wilson
Aaron Wilson covers the NFL for National Football Post, his second stint at the Post. He has previously written for Pro Football Talk and FOX Sports-Scout. Entering his 13th year covering the Baltimore Ravens, he's a beat writer for The Baltimore Sun. Wilson has also covered the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans.

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