Safety D.J. Swearinger posted on his Instagram account early Monday morning that he is leaving the Houston Texans.
The Texans released Swearinger on Monday, according to a league source. The team had been trying to trade Swearinger since before the draft.
"Every decision we make is in the best interests of our team and winning," coach Bill O'Brien told reporters Monday before the Texans' annual charity golf tournament.
Swearinger has been with the team since being drafted in the second round out of South Carolina in 2013. He was one of only three members of that draft class to see meaningful snaps in regular-season games for the Texans. The other two were starting receiver DeAndre Hopkins and reserve tight end Ryan Griffin.
The 2013 draft class was the last one selected by Texans general manager Rick Smith and then-head coach Gary Kubiak, who was fired in December 2013 after beginning the season 2-11.
Swearinger started 12 games as the Texans' strong safety in 2014, coming in as a sub in the other four. His playing time diminished a bit later in the season as the Texans used Danieal Manning more frequently.
During his rookie year, Swearinger became the starter when Manning suffered a season-ending injury.