Texans’ McNair dies

Robert “Bob” McNair, billionaire founder and owner of the Houston Texans, has died. He was 81.

One of the NFL’s most influential owners, McNair had battled both leukemia and squamous cell carcinoma in recent years before dying in Houston on Friday. The team did not immediately release a cause of death, but says he died peacefully with his wife Janice and his family by his side.

When Houston lost the Oilers to Tennessee after the 1996 season, McNair made it his mission to return the NFL to the city. He formed Houston NFL Holdings in 1998, and on Oct. 6, 1999 he was awarded the 32nd NFL franchise. The Texans began play in 2002. Brady misses practice: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady did not participate in the team’s last practice before Sunday’s game against the New York Jets and was listed as questionable to play.

The 41-year-old three-time NFL MVP hurt his knee when he slipped after receiving a pass in last week’s game against Tennessee.

He was listed on the injury report as limited for Wednesday’s workout; the team did not practice on Thanksgiving Day.

Since taking over as the starter when Drew Bledsoe was injured in the second game of the 2001 season, only once has Brady missed games for injury, when he tore apart his knee in the 2008 opener and missed the rest of the season.

He also missed the first four games of the 2016 season to serve a suspension for his role in the team’s illegal football deflation scheme.

McCown to start: Josh McCown is stepping in for Sam Darnold again.

The 39-year-old veteran quarterback will start Sunday for the Jets against the Patriots.

Darnold strained his right foot against Miami on Nov. 4 and hasn’t practiced or played since.