Texans Release Punter Shane Lechler
The Texans have cut Shane Lechler, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). With Lechler out of the picture, they’ll roll with rookie Trevor Daniel as their punter.
Lechler didn’t necessarily struggle during the preseason, but Daniel was outstanding. No one thought the University of Tennessee product had a real chance at unseating Lechler, but the Texans went with the untested option, even though they’re still on the hook for Lechler’s $600K guarantee.
After spending the first 13 years of his career with the Raiders, Lechler joined up with the Texans in 2013, and he hasn’t missed a game during his tenure in Houston. Last year, Lechler led the league in punting yards with 4,507 and put his boot to the ball 92 times. The veteran is first all-time in yards per punt, and he’s second all-time in punts and punting yards.
Given his experience, reputation, accomplishments, and holding ability, it would be surprising if Lechler does not find a job elsewhere.
Texans, Greg Mancz Agree To Extension
The Texans have reached an agreement on a two-year extension with Greg Mancz, according to Mark Berman of FOX 26 (on Twitter). The new deal will keep the offensive lineman under contract through the 2020 season. 
Mancz, a center/guard, was retained for 2018 via the original round tender. After earning $1.907MM in 2018, the new portion of his deal will kick in. Still relatively young at 26, Mancz will be eligible for unrestricted free agency just before his 29th birthday.
The Toledo product has appeared in 29 games for the Texans over the last three years, including 23 starts. Last year, Pro Football Focus ranked Mancz as a top 60 guard in the NFL.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/29/18
We don’t dance now, we make minor moves:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Waived: G Cory Helms
Detroit Lions
- Waived: OL Beau Nunn
- Waived/Injured: DT Toby Johnson
Houston Texans
- Waived/Injured: Ben Heeney
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: WR Tanner McEvoy
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived/Injured: WR Max McCaffrey
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/28/18
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: RB Darius Victor
Buffalo Bills
- Released: S L.J. McCray
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: CB Darius Hillary
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: OL Kyle Bosch, OL Matthew Diaz
- Waived: WR Ricky Jeune, OL Dustin Stanton
Houston Texans
- Released: WR Chris Thompson
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Released from IR: S Don Carey
Los Angeles Chargers
- Claimed off waivers (Texans): DT Marcus Hardison
- Waived/injured: OL Zachary Crabtree
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: RB Larry Rose
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: TE Anthony Denham
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: RB Ja’Quan Gardner
- Waived: S Chanceller James
Tennessee Titans
- Waived: LB Deontae Skinner
More Minor NFL Transactions: 8/27/18
More minor transactions from today:
Houston Texans
- Waived: Marcus Hardison
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived: Anthony Mahoungou
Texans To Sign CB Kayvon Webster
The Texans are set to sign cornerback Kayvon Webster, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The former Ram will receive $2MM on a one-year deal.
Webster worked out for the Texans on Sunday afternoon and it did not take long for a deal to come together. The 27-year-old was also set to meet with the Bills, and Lions this week, but those visits have been 86’d.
Webster spent the first four years of his career as a reserve with the Broncos, but signed a two-year deal with the Rams last spring. The reunion with defensive coordinator Wade Phillips did not go as planned. He started eleven games, but his season ended in December thanks to a torn Achilles.
Although Pro Football Focus ranked Webster in the bottom half of its cornerback grades, Webster finished 31st among 81 CBs in Football Outsiders’ success rate, meaning he was effective at stopping wide receivers short of the sticks. FO also charted Webster with allowing 6.8 yard per pass, 38th among cornerbacks.
Webster joins a Houston cornerback depth chart that includes Johnathan Joseph, Aaron Colvin, and Kevin Johnson, where he’ll add depth in the secondary and on special teams. If he is fully recovered from his Achilles injury, the deal could prove to be a tremendous value for Houston.
Texans Working Out CB Kayvon Webster
Free agent cornerback Kayvon Webster met with and worked out for the Texans on Sunday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Webster’s visit with Houston shouldn’t come as a surprise, as Schefter originally reported last week that Webster was set to sit down with the Texans, Bills, and Lions this week. Houston apparently arranged the Webster’s first visit, and given that no contract has yet been announced, it’s fair to assume the 27-year-old will continue his free agent tour.
Webster spent the first four years of his career as a reserve with the Broncos, but signed a two-year deal with the Rams last spring which reunited him with defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. He started 11 games before going down in December with a torn Achilles, and played like a serviceable starter.
Although Pro Football Focus ranked Webster in the bottom half of its cornerback grades, Webster finished 31st among 81 CBs in Football Outsiders’ success rate, meaning he was effective at stopping wide receivers short of the sticks. FO also charted Webster with allowing 6.8 yard per pass, 38th among cornerbacks.
Given the timeline of his Achilles injury, the Texans will surely want to evaluate Webster’s current health. But he could potentially join a Houston cornerback depth chart that includes Johnathan Joseph, Aaron Colvin, and Kevin Johnson, adding depth in the secondary and on special teams.
Meanwhile, while a hypothetical reunion between Webster and his old Broncos club has been speculatively mentioned, Denver did not make Webster an offer before signing fellow cornerback Adam Jones earlier today, tweets Troy Renck of Denver7.
Shane Lechler Fighting For Roster Spot?
Shane Lechler may be a future Hall of Famer, but the veteran is currently fighting for a roster spot. As John McClain of the Houston Chronicle writes, the 42-year-old is competing with Trevor Daniel for the Texans’ punter gig. While Lechler hasn’t necessarily struggled during the preseason, his rookie competitor has been “outstanding.”
Lechler re-signed with Houston this offseason on a one-year, $2MM deal. The team brought in Daniel, an undrafted rookie out of the University of
Tennessee, shortly after the draft. While the competition was initially an afterthought, the rookie’s recent play has put Lechler’s roster spot in jeopardy. Through two preseason games, Daniel’s gross averages have been 42 and 55.3 yards (Lechler’s have been 45.7 and 37 yards).
“Bill (O’Brien) wants competition at every position, and I had to come in and be ready to go,” Lechler told McClain. “There are only 32 of us who have this job, and they’re always looking to replace and go younger or go cheaper – whatever it is.”
While Daniel may have the upperhand when it comes to punting, Lechler has managed to contribute in other aspects of the game. As McClain writes, the veteran is considered an excellent holder, while Daniel never held when he was in college. Lechler also has the respect of his coaches and teammates, something that a rookie couldn’t reasonably overcome.
After spending the first 13 years of his career with the Raiders, Lechler joined up with the Texans in 2013, and he hasn’t missed a game during his tenure in Houston. Last year, Lechler led the league in punting yards with 4,507 and put his boot to the ball 92 times. The veteran is first all-time in yards per punt, and he’s second all-time in punts and punting yards.
AFC South Notes: Texans, Watt, Colts
J.J. Watt continues to insist he will be on the field with his Texans teammates when they open the regular season, but the severe injury he sustained last season — a tibeal plateau fracture — did not have doctors 100 percent certain the three-time defensive player of the year would play again.
“They weren’t even sure if the surgery would work and if he would be able to run anymore. That’s what was so scary for us,” said Watt’s girlfriend, pro soccer player Kealia Ohai, via Jenny Vrentas of SI.com. “An ACL is difficult, but it’s pretty straightforward. With J.J.’s, because of the type of injury, I remember the doctors were not exactly sure how his leg and his knee would react to [the surgery]. From the beginning, he wanted to work hard and come back. But for a while, [the question] was, would he be able to come back and play at the same level, and support that much weight? Will his leg ever be the same again?”
Watt’s returned to Texans practice, taking part in team drills, but he’s now missed 24 games over the past two seasons. It’s uncertain how the 29-year-old defensive end will look after this extensive rehab process.
Here’s the latest from the South divisions:
- D’Onta Foreman likely will not be joining Watt and other healthy Texans in Week 1. The second-year running back is likely to land on the Reserve/PUP list to start the season, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle notes. Foreman currently resides on the Active/PUP list, but if Houston places him on the regular-season version of the PUP, he must sit at least six weeks. Alfred Blue will take Foreman’s place as Lamar Miller‘s primary backup. Foreman tore an Achilles’ tendon in November.
- The Colts‘ backfield might not have its projected leader back by the season’s first Sunday. Marlon Mack‘s nursing a hamstring injury, and it’s “no slam dunk” he’ll be available for the opener, Frank Reich said (via Zak Keefer of the Indianapolis Star, on Twitter). While the Colts are hopeful the second-year back can return by then and take his place with the starting offense, they may have to wait a bit for that to occur. The Colts will also be without Robert Turbin for the first four games of the season due to a suspension; they have rookies Jordan Wilkins and Nyheim Hines, along with the well-traveled Christine Michael, in their backfield behind Mack.
- The Jets contacted the Jaguars this week regarding the trade availability of Dante Fowler.
- Derrick Morgan appears likely to miss the start of the Titans’ season due to meniscus surgery.
Texans Work Out CBs Zack Sanchez, Teddy Williams
The Texans recently worked out free agent cornerbacks Zack Sanchez and Teddy Williams, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
Houston may be on the lookout for defensive back help after starting corner Kevin Johnson suffered a concussion during Saturday’s preseason game. While the Texans have already added one cornerback in 2017 undrafted free agent Bryce Jones, the club could bring in more bodies behind Johnson, Aaron Colvin, and Johnathan Joseph.
Sanchez, 24, entered the league as Panthers fifth-round pick in 2016. He lasted only five games before being placed on injured reserve during his rookie campaign, and subsequently spent the majority of the 2017 season on Carolina’s practice squad. After being waived by the Panthers in May, Sanchez auditioned for the Giants but has yet to land a contract.
Williams, 30, offers far more experience than Sanchez, as he’s appeared in 36 NFL games (though none since 2016). He actually overlapped with Sanchez on the Panthers’ roster in 2016. Williams has never made a start in the pros, as he’s mostly served on special-teams duty during his NFL tenure. He inked a one-year deal with the Giants in May, but requested his release earlier this month in order to deal with a family issue.