Will Demps arrived in Houston on Monday thinking it would be the first of several visits with teams vying for him.

The Texans are hoping Will Demps can get up to speed quickly.

"I was here at eight Monday morning and I was supposed to take off and talk to a couple of teams and the next thing you know it, they wouldn't let me leave," he said.

He said his decision to join the Texans had a lot to do with his relationship with defensive end Anthony Weaver and offensive lineman Chester Pitts. Demps played with Weaver in Baltimore and Pitts in college at San Diego State.

Demps signed a one-year deal with Houston on Tuesday, two days after the Texans lost Jason Simmons for the season with a knee injury. The team was already without Glenn Earl, who fractured his foot in the first preseason game and is also out for the year.

The Texans got Michael Boulware in a trade with Seattle on Sept. 1, but he's still adjusting to Houston's defense and only played special teams in the opener.

Demps dislocated his elbow in a preseason game Aug. 19 and was placed on the injured reserve when New York reduced its roster to 53 players on Sept. 1. He received an injury settlement a few days later and became a free agent.

He practiced with Houston for the first time on Wednesday and said his departure from New York had to do with he and Giants coach Tom Coughlin wanting to go in "different directions," but didn't elaborate.

"The elbow thing was a blessing in disguise and I'm happy to be here and be a part of the team," he said.

Demps, who entered the league as an undrafted free agent, spent his first four seasons in Baltimore before signing a five-year, $12 million contract before last season. He started 17 games in 2006 and finished with 100 tackles and two interceptions, but lost his starting job to James Butler in the offseason.

He said he talked with the Ravens about returning there, but that Weaver and Pitts convinced him that Houston would be a good fit for him.

"I came here first because of the guys I know and understanding what they want to do," he said. "I told (Ravens GM) Ozzie (Newsome) in a voice message, 'thanks for the opportunity again, but I definitely want to move in a different direction and start a new mark here in Houston."'

Coach Gary Kubiak said he was impressed by Demps when he had faced him in the past.

"He's an overachiever," Kubiak said. "He came into this league as a free agent and made his way onto one of the best defenses in football in Baltimore and played well. He's smart."

Now the key for Houston will be how soon he and Boulware can step into Houston's defense. Kubiak said Demps will "have to be ready to go" this weekend and that how much he'll play will depend on how quickly he can pick up what they're doing.

Cornerback Dunta Robinson said the injuries have been difficult but that adding players who have had success in the NFL should make their transition easier.

"These guys have made plays," he said. "It's not like we're picking up a free agent who hasn't played at all. You saw Demps in Baltimore's defense and in New York's defense and Boulware in the Seahawks defense. We're bringing in playmakers all over the field and that's what we need in order to win."