© Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Ravens are losing one of their top special teams players. Linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips and the Houston Texans agreed to a one-year deal per reports. 

Phillips was an undrafted rookie who played collegiately at Illinois and has made a name for himself as a standout special teams player during stints with the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets and Ravens.

In 2023, the 27-year-old played almost 80 percent of Baltimore's special teams plays - the most of any player - while also appearing in seven percent of the team's defensive plays.

Phillips played for two seasons in Baltimore and registered 29 total tackles and one forced fumble in 33 appearances.

The former Fighting Illini had his best season in 2021 when he tallied a career-best 31 tackles and a sack while playing a career-high 160 plays.

Phillips joins a Texans team that is improving itself during the "legal tampering period" ahead of free agency which starts on Wednesday at the beginning of the NFL's new league year.

Phillips marks the sixth Raven to leave in free agency since Monday, joining running back Gus Edwards, safety Geno Stone, wideout Devin Duvernay, guard John Simpson and cornerback Ronald Darby.

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