Roster

The Texans' official website reports Houston placed defensive end David Hunter (toe) on injured reserve Monday and signed defensive lineman Terrell McClain to take his roster spot.

Running back Derrick Ward posted on Twitter that he's not going to play anymore. "its been a great ride the last 9yrs but I'm calling it a career. I thank u all for believing in me!" he wrote on Twitter.

The Cowboys released quarterback Stephen McGee from their 53-man roster and claimed tight end Colin Cochart off waivers from Cincinnati. The moves were announced Saturday as Dallas started practice four days before its season opener at the New York Giants. McGee's release moves Kyle Orton to the No. 2 quarterback spot on the depth chart behind starter Tony Romo.

While Arian Foster sits out of Texans OTA workouts with a strained calf, Ben Tate takes over as the running back with the first-team offense, just as he would if Foster missed time during the regular season. Tate has "had a really good offseason" according to coach Gary Kubiak, adding he'll be the team's bell cow running back the rest of the spring. Tate himself knows what's at stake for him personally this season. "It’s a big one. It’s the last year of my contract," he told the official team website. "Every year’s a big year, though."

The Houston Texans selected Clemson receiver DeAndre Hopkins with the 27th overall pick in the NFL draft, a player who should instantly prop up Matt Schaub's stats. Last year Texans receivers not named Andre Johnson totaled 63 catches for 841 yards (13.3 avg.) and four touchdowns. In three seasons with Clemson the 6-foot-1, 214-pound Hopkins caught 206 passes for 3,020 yards (14.6 avg.) and 27 touchdowns including 18 in 13 games last season.

Coach Gary Kubiak said after the last of three rookie minicamp practices that new linebacker Trevardo Williams "was exactly what we thought," according to the official team website. "Tremendous speed. He can really run."

Texans rookie speedster Alan Bonner flashed throughout the team's rookie minicamp according to the official team website, with his best work coming on Sunday according to coach Gary Kubiak. “A ton of ability," Kubiak said of Bonner. "It’s going to all be mental, making a change, what we ask him to do."

Notable players drafted by the Texans include LSU pass rusher Sam Montgomery, Connecticut linebacker Trevardo Williams, Jacksonville State receiver Alan Bonner, Bowling Green defensive tackle Chris Jones and Connecticut tight end Ryan Griffin.

In a minor swap prior to the start of the regular season, the Texans traded defensive back Sherrick McManis to the Bears on Friday in exchange for for running back Tyler Clutts, the Houston Chronicle reports. Clutts totaled 48 yards on eight receptions while playing all 16 games last year.

The Texans placed DB Dominique Barber (undisclosed) on injured reserve Wednesday and promoted DB Shiloh Keo to the active roster.

The Houston Chronicle reports that Texans coach Gary Kubiak predicted that Case Keenum, who spent his rookie season last year on the practice squad, is “going to push” T. J. Yates for the backup quarterback job behind Matt Schaub. “Everybody’s always competing,” Kubiak said. “Case has obviously made up a bunch of ground from the standpoint of what he knows and what he can handle as a player.”

The Texans' official website reports Houston placed defensive end David Hunter (toe) on injured reserve Monday and signed defensive lineman Terrell McClain to take his roster spot.

The Houston Chronicle says rookie receiver DeAndre Hopkins has overcome some early struggles to look great during the team's recent offseason practices. The Texans have desperately been searching for a solid No. 2 receiver to play opposite Andre Johnson. Hopkins could be on his way to filling that void. "I've been impressed. He struggled early -- which we knew he would -- but I think it helps when you throw a guy in with the ones right away because he gets coached by (Matt) Schaub," Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. "But the last three days he's impressed me because he hasn't had Matt and he hasn't had Andre (Johnson) out here and he’s been on top of what he’s doing. He’s obviously very gifted. We've just got to make sure we've got him doing what he does best."

Texans defensive back Danieal Manning had seven tackles -- six solo -- in Week 15 against the Colts. It was his second game in a row with seven tackles. He added no other statistics.

Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips confirmed that linebacker Bradie James will serve as the team's signal-caller. "He calls all the signals and all the audibles," Phillips said according to the official team website. "He already knows them, so that's the good thing. We put in a few different things, but he's caught onto those real quickly. He's real familiar with what we're doing and how we want it done and what changes we need to make in the heat of the battle. That's what I like about him."

The Texans announced Wednesday that they signed QB Jeff Garcia, who played for Texans quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp with the San Francisco 49ers from 1999-2003. Garcia tried out last week with Houston before the team signed Jake Delhomme. “I almost signed ‘em both a week ago,” coach Gary Kubiak said. "All this time that we’re having to spend with Jake to get him ready for an emergency situation, what I saw Knapper and Rico (offensive coordinator Rick Dennison) go through last week, I said, ‘You know, let’s bring him in here. Let’s do it with both of them, so if we do hit a problem, at least we’ve got two guys vested in what we’re doing and two veterans who have played in some big games.’ I thought that was important at this point.”

The Texans' official team site reports linebacker Darryl Sharpton said his hip injury is "100 percent healed up." He missed nine games last year including the first six weeks of the season.

Hip - Probable for start of training camp

Notable Texans players either waived or released Friday include: tight end Logan Brock, defensive end Keith Browner, outside linebacker D.J. Bryant, nose tackle Hebron Fangupo, defensive end David Hunter, wide receiver Juaquin Iglesias, outside linebacker Delano Johnson, defensive end Mitch King, inside linebacker Shawn Loiseau, wide receiver Jeff Maehl, outside linebacker Rennie Moore and tight end Phillip Supernaw.

The Houston Texans have selected South Carolina safety D.J. Swearinger in the second round of the NFL draft. The senior started 12 games last season and finished with 79 tackles, two forced fumbles and seven pass breakups. He also returned an interception and a fumble for touchdowns.

Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph told Comcast Sportsnet that he's recovered after having two sports hernia surgeries this offseason. "With the groin issues and everything behind me and the sports hernia on both sides, I had both those fixed," Joseph said. "Now I have more pop, more explosion with my legs. I can run all day again. ... I'm feeling better than I've ever felt. I told somebody that yesterday. I was just excited that I got it fixed just to see where I am at on the field. And I'm having probably the best OTAs I've had in four or five years."

The Houston Texans selected Clemson receiver DeAndre Hopkins with the 27th overall pick in the NFL draft, likely signaling a shift in the team's depth chart. Considered a complete, NFL-ready receiver, the feeling is Hopkins will leap-frog the likes of Lestar Jean, Devier Posey and Keshawn Martin and start right away. Last year Texans receivers not named Andre Johnson totaled 63 catches for 841 yards (13.3 avg.) and four touchdowns. In three seasons with Clemson the 6-foot-1, 214-pound Hopkins caught 206 passes for 3,020 yards (14.6 avg.) and 27 touchdowns including 18 in 13 games last season.

Notable Texans players either waived or released Friday include: tight end Logan Brock, defensive end Keith Browner, outside linebacker D.J. Bryant, nose tackle Hebron Fangupo, defensive end David Hunter, wide receiver Juaquin Iglesias, outside linebacker Delano Johnson, defensive end Mitch King, inside linebacker Shawn Loiseau, wide receiver Jeff Maehl, outside linebacker Rennie Moore and tight end Phillip Supernaw.

Notable players cut by the Dolphins Friday include: cornerbacks Vincent Agnew, Quinten Lawrence and Anderson Russell, defensive tackles Ryan Baker and Isaako Aaitui, defensive end Jamaal Westerman, linebackers Cameron Collins and Shelly Lyons, wide receivers B.J. Cunningham, Jeff Fuller, Clyde Gates, Chris Hogan and Roberto Wallace.

The Texans cut a slew of players Monday to get down to 75 on their roster. Among the cuts were linebacker Omar Gaither, wide receiver Bryant Johnson, wide receiver Mario Louis, running back Davin Meggett, defensive end Jimmy Saddler-McQueen, fullback Derrell Smith and cornerback Torri Williams. Both Ra'Shon Harris and Greg Williams were also waived/injured.

The Houston Chronicle reports that Texans tight end Garrett Graham, who was the victim of a helmet-to-helmet hit against the Bengals in the Wild Card round, will play in the Divisional playoffs at New England. “He, along with anybody else that we can get to this game that’s played a lot of football, will help us," offensive coordinator Rick Dennison said. "It’s a tough task for us.”

The Texans signed DL Jesse Nading to the active roster Wednesday.

Arian Foster told FOXSports.com he would "more than likely" be ready for training camp after straining his calf in late May. “It’s just a small calf strain," he said of the injury. "News is dry in the offseason, so it made headlines."

Calf - Probable for start of training camp

Texans defensive back Kareem Jackson had his fourth interception of the season against the Bears in Week 10. Jackson picked off Jay Cutler in the second quarter and finished with just three tackles in a 13-6 victory.

For their Week 17 loss to the Titans, the Texans went once again with T.J. Yates under center, but the rookie injured his left shoulder on the first drive, so Jake Delhomme took over for the remainder of the game. In his first game of the season, Delhomme completed 18 of 28 passes for 211 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown throw to WR Bryant Johnson in the closing seconds of the game. Delhomme did not throw an interception, but he did lose a fumble in the second quarter.

The Houston Chronicle reports that Texans coach Gary Kubiak plans to rely on receiver Andre Johnson again a lot in 2013. In 2012, Johnson was targeted on 58.1 percent of the Texans’ pass attempts to receivers, the highest rate in the league. Kubiak said that isn't going to change. “Tell them a big percentage is going to go through him again,” he said.

Texans linebacker Brian Cushing told his team's official website he'll be ready for the start of the season. Cushing tore his left ACL last October. "My return is right around the corner, so that’s a good feeling," Cushing said on Monday. "I can definitely tell you I'll be ready for the first game of the season, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be ready for the first practice come training camp."

Knee - Probable for start of training camp

The Texans elevated linebacker Mister Alexander from the practice squad to the active roster Tuesday. Alexander will take the roster spot of fellow linebacker Darryl Sharpton, who was placed in season-ending injured reserve with a hip issue.

CBSSports.com NFL Insider Jason La Canfora reports the Texans have signed free agent cornerback Stanford Routt.

Texans linebacker Brooks Reed was present at the team's OTA workouts following offseason groin surgery. He's been lifting weights and running hard for the past three weeks without issue according to Comcast Sportsnet.

Groin - Probable for start of training camp

Texans coach Gary Kubiak said Monday defensive lineman Tim Jamison will miss the rest of the 2012 season with a torn Achilles.

While visiting the President at the White House with his former Ravens teammates, new Texans safety Ed Reed admitted to the Ravens' official team website that he could miss some games thanks to his injured hip. He had surgery for it after signing with Houston and needs up to three months of recovery time. "I plan on being back for Week 1," Reed said. "But as you've known me for the longest time, I’m going to be smart about my injuries and make sure I’m there for the later part of the season when the team really needs me."

Hip - Questionable for start of training camp

Notable players drafted by the Texans include LSU pass rusher Sam Montgomery, Connecticut linebacker Trevardo Williams, Jacksonville State receiver Alan Bonner, Bowling Green defensive tackle Chris Jones and Connecticut tight end Ryan Griffin.

Texans rookie DL Earl Mitchell recorded the first sack of his career Week 15 at Tennessee. It was his only tackle.

David Canter, the agent for linebacker Tim Dobbins, posted on Twitter his client signed a one-year deal.

Free-agent cornerback Brice McCain has signed a three-year contract to stay with the Houston Texans.

The Texans spent all but two picks on the defensive side of the ball in April's draft, and they selected three players to help in their porous secondary. Miami CB Brandon Harris (Round 2), Virginia Tech CB Rashad Carmichael (Round 4) and Idaho SS Shiloh Keo (Round 5) were added to a rebuilding Texans defense. The 5-foot-9, 191-pound Harris started 32 games for Miami and intercepted four balls and broke up 28 passes in three seasons with the Hurricanes. Carmichael deflected 16 passes and intercepted nine in his college career. Keo intercepted 11 passes and made 358 tackles in 55 career games at Idaho. He also returned kicks in college, and set a school record with 585 punt-return yards.

The following Broncos were cut on Friday: DB Rafael Bush, CB Drayton Florence, LB Jerry Franklin, DT Ben Garland, WR Jason Hill, DB Duke Ihenacho, TE Cornelius Ingram, RB Jeremiah Johnson, LB Mike Mohamed, WR Greg Orton, WR Gerell Robinson, CB Syd'Quan Thompson and QB Adam Weber.

Texans DL Shaun Cody had his most productive game of the year in Week 6 against the Chiefs. He recorded five solo tackles and assisted on four more in the 35-31 win. Among his nine tackles was one for a loss.

Texans tight end Owen Daniels finished with a team-high nine receptions for 81 yards during Houston's 41-28 loss at New England in an AFC Divisional Playoff game Sunday. Daniels collected 15 targets from quarterback Matt Schaub -- also a team best -- as he posted nine catches for the second straight playoff game. During two games this postseason, he racked up 18 receptions for 172 yards on a whopping 26 targets.

Notable Texans players either waived or released Friday include: tight end Logan Brock, defensive end Keith Browner, outside linebacker D.J. Bryant, nose tackle Hebron Fangupo, defensive end David Hunter, wide receiver Juaquin Iglesias, outside linebacker Delano Johnson, defensive end Mitch King, inside linebacker Shawn Loiseau, wide receiver Jeff Maehl, outside linebacker Rennie Moore and tight end Phillip Supernaw.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak announced Sunday veteran Shayne Graham has won the placekicking job after Randy Bullock suffered a torn groin muscle and will be placed on season-ending injured reserve.

Groin - Probable for start of training camp

The Texans added another pass rusher in the fourth round, taking Nebraska defensive end Jared Crick. The 6-foot-6, 285-pound Crick made 22 tackles, including three for loss, in an injury-shortened 2011 season. He finished in Nebraska's top in career sacks (20), even after tearing a chest muscle in the sixth game of his final year.The injury dropped Crick, who began the season as a possible late first-round pick, down the boards.

Notable players drafted by the Texans include LSU pass rusher Sam Montgomery, Connecticut linebacker Trevardo Williams, Jacksonville State receiver Alan Bonner, Bowling Green defensive tackle Chris Jones and Connecticut tight end Ryan Griffin.

The Texans placed DB Dominique Barber (undisclosed) on injured reserve Wednesday and promoted DB Shiloh Keo to the active roster.

The Redskins signed LB Keyaron Fox on Sunday.

The Houston Chronicle reports that Texans coach Gary Kubiak predicted that Case Keenum, who spent his rookie season last year on the practice squad, is “going to push” T. J. Yates for the backup quarterback job behind Matt Schaub. “Everybody’s always competing,” Kubiak said. “Case has obviously made up a bunch of ground from the standpoint of what he knows and what he can handle as a player.”

Texans defensive lineman Antonio Smith turned in a dominant performance during Sunday's contest against the Ravens at home in Week 7. Smith turned it up late as he brought down Joe Flacco twice for a pair of sacks on back-to-back plays in a 43-13 victory.

The New Orleans Saints began paring down their roster Monday and released the following players: quarterback Luke McCown; tight end Jake Byrne; wide receivers Marques Clark, Kevin Hardy and Derek Moye; defensive backs Kamaal McIlwain, Cord Parks and Johnny Thomas; defensive linemen Remi Ayodele, Swanson Miller and Donavan Robinson; and linebacker Aaron Tevis.

The Houston Chronicle reports that Texans receiver DeVier Posey is closer than he’s ever been to returning to participation. Posey suffered a torn Achilles in January and had surgery four and a half months ago. “I should be out on the field next week doing drills and getting acclimated to the heat and getting my foot on that solid ground again,” Posey said. Posey has attended OTAs while only being able to watch from the sidelines. “We’re making a decision on him at the end of camp because of the PUP and those type of things,” Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. “He’s doing everything he can. He’s going to come back and he’s going to play for us next year. How early is the question.”

Achilles - Questionable for start of training camp

The Cardinals waived or released the following players Friday: cornerback Crezdon Butler, linebacker Antonio Coleman, safety Blake Gideon, linebacker Clark Haggans, defensive tackle Ricky Lumpkin, linebacker Colin Parker, cornerback Larry Parker, wide receiver DeMarco Sampson, tight end Steve Skelton, running back Alfonso Smith, linebacker Quan Sturdivant, defensive end Ronald Talley, defensive end Everette Thompson, tight end Martell Webb and wide receiver Isaiah Williams.

Looking for another pass rusher and more linebacker depth, the Texans selected Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus with the 26th overall pick in the NFL draft Thursday night. The 6-foot-3, 261-pound Mercilus is an early-entry junior who only started for one season in college, but he led the nation in sacks (16) and forced fumbles (8). He earned All-Big Ten honors and won the 2011 Ted Hendricks award. "He's a smart player, he's athletic, he's tough," Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said. "You want those high-motor guys, but you want them to have that kind of ability." Phillips said if Mercilus would've stayed in school, he would've been a Top-10 pick in next year's draft. Mercilus says he's ready to contribute immediately, despite his relatively light experience. "I answer that criticism as I just became more of a student of the game," Mercilus said. "Definitely, when I got my opportunity, I made the most of it. Instead of being behind a starter, who was ahead of me in my last years, 2009 and 2010, once I got my opportunity, I was able to make the most of it and just shine through."

The Texans signed linebacker Barrett Ruud Wednesday after he was released by the Saints Tuesday.

Texans rookie CB Roc Carmichael will be sidelined for about a week with a sprained shoulder sustained on Sunday. "He should be back ready to compete in camp," said coach Gary Kubiak of the rookie fifth-rounder from Virginia Tech.

After causing havoc for opposing quarterbacks throughout the season, Houston lineman J.J. Watt was named the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year on Saturday night. Watt, who received 49 of the possible 50 votes to capture the award, paced the NFL with 20.5 sacks during his second season. He also disrupted several plays at the line of scrimmage and tallied 16 passes defended, tied for the highest total on the Texans. Denver linebacker Von Miller notched the only other vote for the defensive honor.

ESPN reports the Texans have signed fullback Greg Jones on a one-year deal. Jones is expected to serve as the lead blocker for Arian Foster in Houston. He had the same role with the Jaguars for Maurice Jones-Drew.

Deji Karim has agreed to a deal with the Texans. He has previously played with two division rivals in the Jags and the Colts.

The Houston Texans selected Clemson receiver DeAndre Hopkins with the 27th overall pick in the NFL draft, likely signaling a shift in the team's depth chart. Considered a complete, NFL-ready receiver, the feeling is Hopkins will leap-frog the likes of Lestar Jean, Devier Posey and Keshawn Martin and start right away. Last year Texans receivers not named Andre Johnson totaled 63 catches for 841 yards (13.3 avg.) and four touchdowns. In three seasons with Clemson the 6-foot-1, 214-pound Hopkins caught 206 passes for 3,020 yards (14.6 avg.) and 27 touchdowns including 18 in 13 games last season.