Texans Down To 78 On Roster
The Texans announced additional roster moves this afternoon, bringing their total count to 78 players on the roster. Here is a full rundown of all of their moves thus far today, including those disclosed earlier in the day:
Released:
- DT Ra’Zahn Howard
- WR Tevin Jones
- LB Ryan Langford
- WR Josh Lenz
- OT Matt Pierson
- LB Carlos Thompson
- OT Arturo Uzdavinis
Injured Reserve:
- S Kurtis Drummond
- K Ka’imi Fairbairn
- C Nick Martin (story)
PUP List:
Texans Cut Ra’Zahn Howard, Others
The Texans are working to get down to a 75-man roster and Ra’Zahn Howard won’t be a part of it. The Texans released the rookie today, according to Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (on Twitter).
The Texans have also informed wide receiver Josh Lenz that he’s not in their future plans (Twitter link). Same goes for tackle Matt Pierson, linebacker Carlos Thompson, tackle Arturo Uzdavinis, and linebacker Ryan Langford, per Mark Berman of FOX 26 (on Twitter). 
Howard went undrafted in this year’s supplemental draft, making him a free agent. Shortly after the draft ended with zero players selected, the Texans signed Howard to a deal which included a signing bonus.
Howard, who stands 6’3″ and 310 pounds, was suspended for academic reasons in January and initially planned on transferring from Purdue to another school. However, he changed his mind and opted to go pro.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/11/16
Today’s minor signings, cuts, and other moves:
- The Vikings announced that they have inked the following seven players to reserve/future deals: guard Isame Faciane, wide receiver Isaac Fruechte, defensive tackle Toby Johnson, safety John Lowdermilk, linebacker Terrance Plummer, running back Blake Renaud, and linebacker Alex Singleton. Renaud has had several stints with the Vikings’ taxi squad since coming out of Boise State.
- The Jets announced (on Twitter) that they have signed tackle Jesse Davis and tight end Adrien Robinson to reserve/future contracts. The Jets also signed offensive lineman Lawrence Okoye to a futures deal, Brian Costello of the New York Post tweets.
- The Bears announced (Twitter link) that they have signed linebacker Keith Browner to reserve/futures contract. Browner appeared in three games for Houston in 2014. The 6’4″, 288 pound athlete played college football at Cal and has also been listed as a defensive end in the past.
- The Texans signed guard Karim Barton, center Dalton Freeman, running back Kenny Hilliard, wide receiver Josh Lenz, cornerback Robert Nelson, defensive end Dan Pettinato, outside linebacker Gerald Rivers, linebacker Tony Washington, and tight end Eric Tomlinson to reserve/future deals, per Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun (on Twitter).
- The Titans signed former Vanderbilt cornerback Steven Clarke to a futures deal, Jim Wyatt of Titans Online tweets.
- The Bengals announced that they have signed the following players to futures deals: wide receiver Michael Bennett, linebacker Jayson DiManche, guard Trey Hopkins, wide receiver Jake Kumerow, tight end Matt Lengel, and linebacker Jeff Luc.
Practice Squad Updates: 10/12/15
Today’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL..
Houston Texans
- Signed: WR Josh Lenz
Washington
- Signed: CB Deveron Carr (Twitter link via Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington.com)
- Cut: LB Lynden Trail
Workout Notes: Patriots, Texans, Bucs, Eagles
Earlier today we learned that the Patriots worked out wide receiver Hakeem Nicks. As it turns out, they also auditioned two other players: running back Isaiah Pead and tight end Nick Kasa (via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle on Twitter).
Pead, 26 in December, was once expected to become a leading rusher for the Rams as the heir apparent to Steven Jackson. Things never worked out that way for the 2012 second-round pick, but he did spent three years and change with the club, playing in 27 games with one start. This year, Pead appeared in just two games and notched two carries for three yards before he was released.
Here’s a rundown of today’s workouts and auditions from around the NFL..
- The Texans gave former Notre Dame wide receiver DaVaris Daniels a tryout, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (on Twitter).
- Washington worked out defensive backs Aaron Hester and Ri’Shard Anderson, Wilson tweets.
- The Buccaneers tried out cornerbacks Dax Swanson, Jemea Thomas, and Robert Steeples, punters Spencer Roth and Michael Palardy, cornerback Keon Lyn, and kicker/punter Jordan Gay, Wilson tweets.
- The Eagles tried out tight end Cameron Clear, center Brian Folkerts, tight end Richard Gordon, and outside linebacker Gerald Rivers, Wilson tweets.
- The Texans tried out wide receivers Josh Lenz, DaVaris Daniels and Corey Washington, Wilson tweets. Daniels recently worked out for the Bears but was not signed.
Workout Notes: 9/23/15
Teams around the NFL are bringing in players for workouts, surveying the free agent landscape for possible practice squad additions or 53-man roster players, either for the near future or down the road. Here are a few of the latest auditions from across the league, via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (all links go to Twitter):
AFC:
- Former Broncos cornerback Tony Carter had a workout with the Ravens, who have liked him for a while. Of course, up until very recently, Carter was under contract with Denver.
- In addition to Matt Huffer, whose workout was reported yesterday, offensive linemen Kevin Graf, Antonio Johnson, and Travis Bond, along with defensive ends Matt Conrath and Xzavier Dickson, were among the players who auditioned for the Broncos this week.
- We already heard that the Jets brought in multiple receivers this week for workouts, and we can add a few more names to that list: DaVaris Daniels, Titus Davis, and Josh Lenz got a look from New York.
- It was a linebacker-heavy workout group this week in Jacksonville, as the Jaguars auditioned Jeff Luc, Alex Singleton, and Jordan Tripp, in addition to Jayson DiManche, whose workout was previously reported.
- We can add tight end Nick Kasa, guard Joe Looney, wide receiver Marcus Lucas, ex-Niners tackle Sean Hooey, and former Titans tackle Byron Stingily to the list of players who tried out for the Dolphins this week. We learned yesterday that tight end Adrien Robinson also visited the team.
- The lengthy roster of players who auditioned this week for the Titans: cornerbacks Robert McClain, Robert Steeples, Shaun Prater, and Carrington Byndom; safeties Jean Fanor and Robert Lester; and wide receiver Nick Toon.
NFC:
- The Panthers brought in several defensive backs for tryouts, taking a look at Richard Crawford, Ras-I Dowling, and Tajh Hasson.
- Wide receiver Deonte Thompson turned an audition with the Bears into a practice squad spot this week, but he wasn’t the only player to work out for the team. The club also brought in wide receiver DeVier Posey, quarterback Alex Tanney, and QB Justin Worley.
- The Lions were eyeing veteran defensive backs this week, with ex-Giants safety Stevie Brown, longtime Panthers safety Charles Godfrey, and former Raiders DB Brandian Ross all coming in for auditions. The club also worked out tight end Mickey Shuler.
- Defensive tackle Deandre Coleman, cut from the Dolphins’ practice squad last week, and former Broncos defensive end Quanterus Smith both worked out for the Seahawks this week.
- After being removed from the Patriots’ injured reserve list last week, wide receiver Jonathan Krause tried out for the Eagles.
- Washington auditioned two linebackers who hit the open market within the last few weeks, bringing in ex-Bengal Nico Johnson and former Seahawk Alex Singleton. It’s been a busy week for Singleton, who also worked out for the Jaguars, as noted above.
- The Packers took a look this week at tight end Blake Annen, defensive tackle Justin Hamilton, CFL linebacker Henoc Muamba, and linebacker Josh Shirley.
East Notes: JPP, Giants, DeflateGate
Here’s a look at the latest out of the East Divisions..
- The New York Daily News has obtained pictures of Jason Pierre-Paul‘s injured hand and the photos indicate that his condition could be worse than his camp has been letting on. The Giants defensive end is missing an index finger and his middle finger is heavily bandaged. Perhaps the most notable part of the photo is that JPP is without a good chunk of his thumb. Previously, JPP’s people said that missing a piece from his thumb, but that it was just the tip of the digit.
- This week, the Giants auditioned LB Khairi Fortt, DT Kwame Geathers, LB Adrian Hubbard, TE Nick Kasa, WR Josh Lenz, TE Jake Murphy, and LB Jordan Tripp, according to Jordan Raanan of the Star-Ledger. The Giants also worked out LB James Morris and G Vinston Painter before signing them to the practice squad.
- In an interview with WEEI, Peter King said that even with everything that has happened between Roger Goodell and the Patriots, he doesn’t think that Robert Kraft wants the commissioner fired because of the business man that he is.
Extra Points: Foster, Kitchen, Gregory
Texans running back Arian Foster said Tuesday while promoting a charity fundraiser that he’d like to finish his career in Houston, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter links). “I don’t want to put on another uniform,” Foster said. “It’s a business though. I’m a cog in a wheel.” The 29-year-old’s current contract expires after next season, so he’d have to re-sign with the Texans if he plans to play beyond age 30 in Houston.
Here’s more from around the NFL..
- After bringing him in on Tuesday for a visit, the Texans aren’t immediately signing former Browns defensive tackle Ishmaa’ily Kitchen, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter). Wilson adds that Kitchen had a strong workout and that the team could always revisit the possibility of signing him.
- While Dez Bryant‘s foot injury is dominating the headlines in Dallas this week, the Cowboys received more bad news on the injury front, according to Ed Werder of ESPN.com, who tweets that promising rookie pass rusher Randy Gregory sustained a high ankle sprain and will be sidelined for four to six weeks.
- Former Cleveland wide receiver Josh Lenz, who was waived during the Browns’ cutdown to 53 players this month, worked out for the Giants on Tuesday, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link).
- The Cowboys liked what they saw in workouts with Nick Toon and Clyde Gates, but the staff felt better about going after Brice Butler, Clarence Hill of the Star-Telegram tweets. Dallas acquired Butler from Oakland on Tuesday.
Browns Keep West, Pryor On 53-Man Roster
The Browns have announced their roster moves for the day, and two offensive players who were viewed as potential release – or trade – candidates have made the cut — running back Terrance West and quarterback-turned-wide-receiver Terrelle Pryor are still members of the Browns.
Cleveland has also confirmed that quarterbacks Thad Lewis and Pat Devlin have been cut, meaning Johnny Manziel looks poised to enter the year healthy enough to be Josh McCown‘s backup.
Here’s the Browns’ full list of moves, via a team release:
Waived:
- OL Karim Barton
- RB Shaun Draughn
- DB Landon Feichter
- RB Tim Flanders
- DB Kendall James
- WR Darius Jennings
- OL Erle Ladson
- WR Josh Lenz
- WR Vince Mayle
- DL Jacobbi McDaniel
- OL Andrew McDonald
- OL Darrian Miller
- DB Robert Nelson
- OL Vinston Painter
- LB Hayes Pullard III
- DB Joe Rankin
- LB Mike Reilly
- DB De’Ante Saunders
- DL Dylan Wynn
Released:
- OL Eric Olsen
Minor Moves: Saturday
Here are Saturday’s minor transactions from around the NFL, including the latest mid-to-late-round draft pick signings:
- The Steelers have signed seventh-round draft pick Gerod Holliman, the team announced on Twitter. With the signing of the safety, the organization has officially inked all of their draft picks. The Louisville product finished last season with 14 interceptions.
- The Browns have signed defensive tackle Christian Tupou and wideout Josh Lenz, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Tupou, an undrafted free agent in 2012, has spent time with Colts, Bears, 49ers, Cardinals and Browns. He’s apparently found a home in Cleveland, where he’s spent time on the team’s practice squad over the past two seasons. Lenz, an underrated free agent in 2013, has spent time with the Bears, Seahawks and Colts. He was cut by Indianapolis earlier this month.