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Earl Mitchell DL HOU
4 Months Houston Texans Comment

Texans NT Earl Mitchell's 2013 base salary increased from $575,000 to $630,000 after he hit escalators in his rookie deal.

Mitchell has appeared in 47 of a possible 48 games since being a third-round pick in 2010. However, he's started just three contests. Starting nose tackle Shaun Cody is hitting free agency this offseason, so Mitchell could take on a bigger role in 2013. He has 86 career tackles.

Earl Mitchell DL HOU
7 Months Houston Texans Comment

Texans NT Earl Mitchell will get his first career start in place of Shaun Cody (ribs).

Cody suffered broken ribs and a punctured lung in Week 9. Mitchell, a third-year player out of Arizona, bulked up from 287 to 308 in the offseason. Rookie Jared Crick and newly signed Terrell McClain will rotate in behind Mitchell.

Earl Mitchell DL HOU
5/11/2012 Houston Texans Comment

Texans NT Earl Mitchell has bulked up to 308 pounds after playing last season at 287.

Mitchell has been even bigger than this before, weighing in at 315 at the 2010 Combine. So it's not completely new. At 6-foot-2, 308, Mitchell at least looks more like an NFL nose tackle. He rotated with Shaun Cody last year, coming in off the bench, and figures to emerge as a starter in his third pro season.

Earl Mitchell DL HOU
2/27/2012 Houston Texans Comment

Texans coach Gary Kubiak indicated at the Combine that the team is satisfied with continuing to rotate Earl Mitchell and Shaun Cody at nose tackle.

They don't seem to view nose tackle as a need. "A lot of people think you need a big nose," Kubiak said. "Those two guys aren't very big but they're very active ... and we think the world of 'em." Cody started all 16 games in 2011, but split time with Mitchell right down the middle. Mitchell finished with 27 tackles and a sack, and had another sack in the playoffs.