Sold on rookie quarterback David Carr but not on his backups, the Houston Texans on Monday reached contract agreement with free agent Tony Banks, the strong-armed veteran whose NFL resume includes 75 starts.

Banks is expected to report to the Texans within the next two days. His one-year deal is for $650,000. The acquisition of Banks could end the Houston tenure of Kent Graham, signed as the top backup to Carr, but a veteran who was unimpressive in minicamps and training camp.

Coincidentally, Graham was the backup to Banks last season in Washington. The other two quarterbacks on the roster are Mike Quinn and Ben Sankey. It is unlikely the Texans will keep five quarterbacks on the roster.

"It's another shot and that's all you can ask for," said Banks, who is joining his fourth team. "I'm looking forward to working with (Carr). From what I've seen so far, he's the real deal."

A six-year veteran, Banks spent much of the spring rehabilitation from a wrist injury that occurred when he dropped a weight on his hand. Rumors for more than a month have linked Banks to the Jacksonville Jaguars, whose three backups behind starter Mark Brunell have a total of zero pass attempts in regular-season play.

Texans officials determined that Banks' wrist injury has healed and that he is ready now to participate in the balance of training camp.

The first overall selection in this year's draft, Carr has been unchallenged as the starter, assuming the No. 1 spot on the depth chart in early spring. Carr has played well in the preseason games, demonstrating tremendous poise, and putting up very good numbers.

"Tony has always been a guy who had a strong arm," Texans coach Dom Capers said. "He has the ability to throw the ball down the field and he also brings experience."

Banks began his NFL career as a second-round choice with the St. Louis Rams in 1996 and started 43 games in three seasons there. He signed with the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent in the spring of 2000, then signed with Dallas last spring. But in arguably the most ignominious moment of an often star-crossed career, Banks was cut by the Cowboys, when the team opted to turn over the starting job to rookie Quincy Carter.

Within days of his release, Banks signed with the Redskins, where he took over the starting job from Jeff George just three games into the season. He notched an 8-6 record as a starter, completing 198 of 370 passes, for 2,386 yards, with 10 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions.

For his career, he has completed 1,202 of 2,227 passes for 14,433 yards. He has 71 touchdown passes and 68 interceptions in 82 appearances.

"Any time you think you can strengthen a position, or increase competition at a position, you have to do it," Capers said.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.