D.J. Swearinger waived by Texans

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Safety D.J. Swearinger is no longer a Texan. Swearinger posted a message to Instagram about it Monday morning, then the Texans made it official with a release later in the afternoon.

"It's time for a new chapter and the defining moment of my career," Swearinger posted on Instagram. "So long #HOUSTONTEXANS."

The Texans had been trying to trade Swearinger since before the draft, ESPN reports, but it's unclear whether they found a trade partner or released him outright.

Swearinger has been with the team since being drafted in the second round out of South Carolina in 2013. He is one of six safeties listed on the Texans roster. The other five are Eddie Pleasant, Lonnie Ballentine, Terrance Parks, Stevie Brown and free-agent pickup Rahim Moore. Moore was widely expected to be the starting free safety for the team this year.

It is unclear where Swearinger may be heading next.