Veteran linebacker Moore to be among latest roster cuts
Austell, Smith and Catapano also released
The Texans are cutting veteran linebacker Sio Moore, according to a league source not authorized to speak publicly.
The Texans began informing players about their status one day prior to a mandatory NFL roster cutdown to a 53-player limit.
The NFL changed the rules this year. In the past, the league had teams reach a limit of 75 players following the third preseason game. Now, it’s straight down to 53 players from the roster limit of 90 players.
A former Oakland Raiders third-round draft pick from Connecticut, Moore has a hamstring injury that has affected him throughout training camp, preventing him from earning a spot.
His release could lead to impressive undrafted rookie linebacker Dylan Cole sticking with the Texans.
Moore, 27, also has played for the Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs and Arizona Cardinals.
Moore played for the Cardinals last season and had 35 tackles and two forced fumbles in four games and three starts. For his career, Moore has registered 218 tackles, four forced fumbles and 7½ sacks.
The Texans told former New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Mike Catapano he will be released, according to a league source not authorized to speak publicly.
Catapano is a former Chiefs seventh-round draft pick from Princeton. The 6-4, 270-pounder has recorded 11 career tackles and two sacks since entering the NFL in 2013. He played in 11 games with four starts last season for the Jets before being placed on injured reserve.
The Texans have reached an injury settlement with veteran tight end RaShaun Allen.
The Texans plan to cut rookie offensive lineman Erik Austell, an undrafted free agent from UCLA, along with undrafted rookie safety Malik Smith.
Meanwhile, the Texans reached an injury settlement with rookie linebacker Dayon Pratt, removing him from injured reserve. Pratt had an ankle injury. Undrafted out of East Carolina, Pratt was an AllConference USA freshman selection.
A converted wide receiver who ran track in high school, Pratt had 61 tackles, 7½ for losses and 2½ sacks and three forced fumbles last season.