Tim

Bulman

Undersized at 275 pounds, Bulman never seemed like a good bet to stick in Wade Phillips’ 3-4 defense. He missed the 2010 season with a shoulder injury after playing 15 games as a rotational end in 2009.

Bulman is a 3-4 defensive end who can rush from the interior on passing downs at 6-foot-4 and 281 pounds. He also plays special teams. In 10 games with Houston last year, the 29-year-old Bulman managed 12 tackles (6 solo).

Bulman isn’t the greatest 3-4 schematic fit, but the Texans were awfully thin with only three true defensive ends on the 53-man roster. Bulman didn’t play in the season opener and it figures to stay that way until injuries strike.

Houston blew $1 million on Colvin, who couldn’t adjust to playing defensive end after being an outside linebacker in New England. The 31-year-old is also not fully recovered from a foot injury he suffered last year. It has been a swift decline for Colvin, although the Colts or Pats could show interest.

There’s no timetable on a return for Bulman, who’s just a rotational lineman. He has 17 tackles on the season.

A former defensive tackle on the Cardinals practice squad, Bulman has lost weight and moved to nickel rusher. As it stands now, Bulman would play end in passing situations opposite Mario Williams.

Bulman, 27, went sack-less in 2009 after recording four in ’08. A backup at left end and three-technique tackle, he won’t push for a starting job in camp.

Bulman, 27, was originally undrafted and could be signed to an offer sheet with no compensation involved. He is a reserve at both tackle and end.