Warning: Hard Knocks spoilers ahead. The Texans finalized their initial regular season roster today, announcing several cuts and other transactions in order to get down from 75 players to 53. In addition to cutting defensive tackle Louis Nix, defensive tackle Brandon Deaderick, and wide receiver Damaris Johnson (as we heard yesterday), and placing quarterback Tom Savage on injured reserve (as we heard today), the club made the following moves, per a press release:
Waived:
- OLB Kourtnei Brown
- ILB Max Bullough
- S Kurtis Drummond
- T Matt Feiler
- C James Ferentz
- DE Tevita Finau
- RB Kenny Hilliard
- CB Charles James
- S Corey Moore
- WR EZ Nwachukwu
- DE Dan Pettinato
- T Joseph Treadwell
- WR Chandler Worthy
Released:
- DE Fili Moala
Waived/injured:
- OLB Lynden Trail
- OLB Tony Washington
Placed on injured reserve:
- G Chad Slade
Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweeted earlier today that the Texans were exploring trade scenarios involving cornerbacks Jumal Rolle and Charles James. James showed up on the list above as having been cut, so it’s clear Houston didn’t find a trade partner there. For now, Rolle remains on the team’s roster.
Meanwhile, another’s team’s roster casualty, veteran quarterback Matt Cassel, could be an option for Houston, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Cassel and Texans head coach Bill O’Brien were in New England at the same time, and with Savage landing on IR, Houston is in the market for an insurance policy at quarterback behind Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett.
It would’ve been too much to put the 53 man roster up?
Another New England QB not named Brady . Great!