Texans release safety D.J. Swearinger

D.J. Swearinger has been released by the Houston Texans (Patric Schneider/AP)

HOUSTON — D.J. Swearinger has been released by the Houston Texans.

The safety appeared in 16 games with 12 starts for the Texans last season and finished with 73 tackles, two interceptions and three forced fumbles. He started 10 games as a rookie in 2013 after Houston selected him in the second round out of South Carolina. He had 71 tackles, an interception and forced a fumble in 2013.

Swearinger tweeted about his release before the Texans made it official, but has since deleted the tweet. In it he says he appreciates the opportunity he had in Houston, but that it’s "time for a new chapter."

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