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The Houston Texans filled their need for a veteran tailback on Sunday evening, reaching agreement with six-year veteran Ron Dayne, who was released by the Denver Broncos one day earlier. Financial details of the one-year deal were not yet available, but the contract is likely for the minimum base salary.

Ron Dayne

Running Back Denver Broncos Profile

2005 SEASON STATISTICS Rush Yds TD Rec Yds TD 53 270 1 3 17 0

First-year Texans head coach Gary Kubiak was the offensive coordinator in Denver and is thus familiar with Dayne. And since the Texans have installed an offense similar to the Broncos' design, Dayne will not need a learning period before he can contribute.

Before the agreement with Dayne, who is to arrive in Houston on Sunday night, the Texans had just two tailbacks on the roster, rookie Wali Lundy and second-year veteran Vernand Morency, after waiving rookie Chris Taylor earlier in the day. Lundy will start Sunday's season opener and, even with the addition of Dayne, it's likely that Morency will remain the top backup for now.

Houston was forced to place starter Domanick Davis, the leading rusher in franchise history, on injured reserve Saturday because of lingering swelling in his left knee. Davis had missed all but the first few days of training camp and had not appeared in any preseason games.

Dayne, 28, was projected at one point this spring, after the Broncos released Mike Anderson, as the starter in Denver. In camp, however, he quickly fell behind younger tailbacks Mike Bell, Tatum Bell and Cedric Cobbs, got just five carries in preseason play, and was then released when the Broncos reduced their roster to the regular season limit of 53 players.

The former University of Wisconsin star, and Heisman Trophy winner in 1999, was the first-round pick of the New York Giants in the 2000 draft. He started 11 games in his first two seasons with the Giants, and he averaged 730 rushing yards in 2000-2001, but has not rushed for more than 428 yards in a season since then. In 2005, his lone Denver season, Dayne rushed for 270 yards and one touchdown on 53 carries. Over the past three seasons, Dayne has logged only 105 carries and managed just 449 yards.

But the loss of Davis for the season left Houston without a proven back and, in a pinch, Kubiak turned to a player with whom he is familiar.

For his career, Dayne has rushed for 2,337 yards and 17 touchdowns on 638 carries. He also has 21 catches for 151 yards and no touchdowns. Dayne has appeared in 72 games, 14 as a starter.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com. To check out Len's chat archive, click here .