Dent will start Week 1 against the Chiefs, replacing the injured Mike Mohamed (calf), the Houston Chronicle reports.

Dent, who was signed to a two-year deal in the offseason, started seven games in 2014 and is quite familiar with the defense.

Dent (ankle) participated in walkthroughs, stretching and some individual drills Monday after he was activated off the PUP list, the Houston Chronicle reports.

Dent, a starter in seven of 15 games played last season, is competing for a starting inside linebacker job alongside Brian Cushing. He's been pretty durable, missing just two games in four seasons with 141 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

Dent was activated from the Texans' PUP list on Monday, allowing him to join his teammates in practice.

Dent had missed training camp to this point due to an undisclosed injury, but finally returned to the field Monday. Coming off seven starts in his first season as a Texan last year, Dent will once again compete for first-team reps at inside linebacker as the regular season draws closer.

Dent was placed on the active/physically unable to perform list, NFL.com reports.

There's no word on the exact nature of Dent's injury, but the linebacker is available to be activated at any point during training camp. He was a useful piece on defense, particularly wehn Brian Cushing (knee) was unavailable.

Dent re-signed with the Texans on Tuesday, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reports.

While Dent has started 27 games over the last three years, he has never recorded more than 42 tackles or 1.5 sacks in a single season. He'll provide depth at inside linebacker but probably won't enter training camp as a projected starter.

Dent (wrist) started at inside linebacker in place of the inactive Brian Cushing (knee) in Sunday's win over the Titans. He finished with four tackles.

Both Dent and Mike Mohamed (10 tackles) got increased playing time as the Houston defense was without its signal caller for the day.

Texans acquired ILB Akeem Dent from the Falcons in exchange for QB T.J. Yates.

Dent, 26, started seven games for the Falcons at middle linebacker before being benched after Week 10 and playing just six more defensive snaps over the season's final two months. He was a plus run defender as a 13-game starter in 2012, but he can't cover at all. In Houston, the Texans are looking for a running mate at inside 'backer to pair with Brian Cushing. Brooks Reed may be asked to convert from outside linebacker to the inside, but if the transition doesn't go as smoothly, Dent has starting experience and can play early downs.

Updating a previous item, Falcons LB Akeem Dent won't need offseason ankle surgery.

Dent was initially expected to need a "clean out" procedure. He got a second opinion this week, and it was determined rest and rehab should do the trick. Dent lost his starting job as the Falcons middle linebacker this past season to Paul Worrilow and will contribute as a reserve and on special teams in 2014.

Falcons LB Akeem Dent is expected to undergo an offseason "cleanout" procedure on his ankle.

He's currently getting a second opinion. Dent lost his starting job to undrafted rookie MLB Paul Worrilow in 2013, and finished with 51 tackles after registering 65 as a 13-game starter in 2012. He's likely to return to Atlanta on a cheap $725,000 base salary, but has no value in Dynasty IDP leagues.

Falcons MLB Akeem Dent (ankle) has been ruled out for Week 5.

Being ruled out four days in advance of Monday night's tilt with the Jets is a sign Dent has a high-ankle sprain. The hits just keep on coming for the Falcons, who will likely be forced to go with journeyman Omar Gaither in Dent's absence.

Falcons MLB Akeem Dent (ankle) was held out of Thursday's practice, and spotted in a walking boot.

Falcons MLB Akeem Dent left Sunday night's Week 4 game with an ankle injury.

His return is questionable. Paul Worrilow also exited in the third quarter with a knee injury and will be held out for the rest of the game.

Falcons MLB Akeem Dent has lost his starting job.

Dent has struggled in pass coverage this season and will be replaced by undrafted rookie Paul Worrilow. He should still see playing time in sub-packages as a situational run stopper.

Falcons MLB Akeem Dent was promoted to a full-time player in Week 6 against the Raiders.

Dent opened the season as an early-down thumper, or essentially a situational run defender. He was used in the nickel package too against Oakland, and racked up eight tackles while playing every one of Atlanta's 73 defensive snaps. ESPN's Pat Yasinskas suspects Dent was only used as an every-down linebacker because SLB Stephen Nicholas was injured and played strictly special teams.

Falcons MLB Akeem Dent (concussion) has been medically cleared for contact.

He'll resume practicing in team drills immediately and play in Atlanta's third preseason game. Concussed in the exhibition opener, Dent remains on track to start at middle linebacker in Week 1. The fact that Dent will leave the field on virtually every passing down means he's more of an LB3 in IDP leagues.

Falcons MLB Akeem Dent left Thursday's preseason opener with a concussion.

The concussion may be a bit of a relief, as it initially appeared that Dent was forced from the game due to a more serious knee injury. The Falcons' new starter in the middle will have to pass the customary battery of tests to return to the field next week.

Akeem Dent has emerged as the favorite to start at middle linebacker for the Falcons following Lofa Tatupu's pectoral injury.

ESPN NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas suggests that the Falcons' coaching staff had wanted Dent to claim the job all along. He's now going to get it, "ready or not." Dent is expected to be a two-down player, coming off the field in nickel packages. He may still push for 90 tackles, but will lose big-play potential.

Middle linebackers Akeem Dent and Lofa Tatupu are alternating with the first-team defense during minicamp.

Curtis Lofton is now in New Orleans, leaving the early-down middle 'backer gig wide open. Tatupu might have the edge as the more experienced player, but he's been slowed by knee issues of late. Either way, there's not much IDP upside here.

Coach Mike Smith confirmed that 2011 third-round pick Akeem Dent will battle newly-signed Lofa Tatupu for the starting middle linebacker job.

Smith labeled the competition "wide open." While Dent has the fresher legs, Smith indicated that Tatupu's workout for the Falcons was "really strong," with good change-of-direction ability. The winner will likely be limited to early downs.

Falcons agreed to terms with No. 91 overall pick LB Akeem Dent on a four-year contract.

With Stephen Nicholas and Mike Peterson re-signed, Dent will begin his career as a core special teamer and reserve at all three linebacker spots. He profiles as a two-down thumper long term.