Add another defensive lineman to the Houston Texans' roster - for a few more years.
Maliek Collins, who has been with the team for the last two seasons, officially signed a contract extension, the team announced Tuesday.
Collins is entering his eighth year in the NFL and was set to enter free agency after this season, meaning the extension will keep him with the Texans until 2025.
In two years in Houston, Collins totaled 66 tackles and six sacks, making his presence felt on the field, but he's also made a name for himself off of it.
The veteran defensive lineman is a big advocate for mental health, taking time to speak on it last month during Mental Health Awareness Month in May.
"I feel like Mental Health Awareness Month should be every month," he said. "Nobody's too macho for mental health because the scary part is it doesn't have an age [or] a race."
"We all go through similar things," he added. "And if we can have more than one person to talk to, we'll see how much we have in common."
Entering next season, Collins will get a chance to be a leader on the sidelines, especially with a young core on both ends of the ball.
And with a new contract, he could be a long-time Texan even after his extension expires if all goes well.
The Texans' 2023-24 season begins on the road against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, Sept. 10.
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