NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -The Tennessee Titans agreed to terms Tuesday with defensive tackle Robaire Smith in a move that should improve their run defense.

Smith spent his first four seasons in the NFL with the Titans, then left as a free agent for Houston, where he started 32 games at right end in the Texans' 3-4 defense. His former teammates had been hoping Smith would choose to return.

``It is great to have Robaire back,'' general manager Floyd Reese said in a statement. ``He had a hand in our previous success and adding his ability to a talented defensive line rotation should lead to more success.''

The Titans desperately needed help at defensive tackle after losing Rien Long to a severed Achilles' tendon early in training camp. They agreed to terms with DeQuincy Scott on Sunday, but Scott failed a physical Tuesday.

A sixth-round draft pick by Tennessee in 2000, the 6-foot-4, 314-pound Smith has not missed a game in four seasons and had 100 or more tackles in each of the past two seasons. He has started 49 of 82 games and has 16 1/2 sacks and two forced fumbles.

He was a key piece of the defensive line in 2003 and 2004, when the Titans ranked second and first against the run. He started 15 games in 2003 to help the Titans reach the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons and had a career-high 4 1/2 sacks.

Tennessee ranked 22nd in the NFL against the run last season.

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