In wake of disaster, Texans-Cowboys exhibition called off
The Texans headed home Wednesday to floodravaged Houston after their final preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys was canceled.
“We’ve got several members of our travel party, our coaches, our players, our staff members whose families have been evacuated,” general manager Rick Smith said. “There is so much devastation in the city and the region, and we want to be part of the recovery process.”
The game scheduled for Thursday had been moved from Houston to the home of the Cowboys because of widespread flooding in the Houston area in the wake of Tropical Storm Harvey. The decision to cancel the game altogether was announced when the Texans said local authorities had found a safe route for the team to drive the 250 miles home.
Smith said Wednesday was the first day they had the option to return to Houston, and the team felt it was better to go home than to try and play a game.
After the Texans preseason game in New Orleans last weekend they went to North Texas instead of home after the storm. They worked out Monday and Tuesday at the Cowboys’ practice facility.
Texans star defensive end J.J. Watt was pleased with the decision to cancel the game and get back to Houston.
“I think it’s the right decision,” he said. “Everybody here is obviously most concerned about their families, their friends, the city of Houston back home. I think it’s extremely important that we get home as quickly as we possibly can.”
Watt almost didn’t know how to react to the growth of his flood relief fundraising effort, which started with a web page and a video Sunday. Since then, he’s been offering video updates as the total climbed over $6 million. The original goal was $200,000.
“We’ve upped the goal to $10 million because everything is bigger in Texas,” he said. “Why not? Let’s shoot for $10 million and see what we can do.”
In a related development, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan said he would be willing to flop home dates with the Texans in an effort to help the city recover.
The Jaguars are scheduled to open the season in Houston on Sept. 10. The Texans play in Jacksonville on Dec. 17.
If the teams swapped, the Texans would play three in a row at home to close the season while the Jaguars would play three straight road games. The NFL has yet to make a decision on Houston’s opener.
Haden joins Steelers
Two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Joe Haden was released by the Cleveland Browns after the team couldn’t trade him or persuade him to take a pay cut.
A first-round pick in 2010, Haden has been slowed by injuries the past two seasons, and the Browns felt he was no longer in their plans.
But he wasn’t out of work long, as Haden later in the day signed a three-year, $27 million contract with the rival Pittsburgh Steelers, who are giving the 28-year-old a chance to exact some revenge on his former team.
Haden passed his physical and he’s now on the other side of a once-heated rivalry that has become utterly lopsided.
The Steelers posted a photo on Twitter of a smiling Haden signing his contract. The sight had to make the stomachs turn of some Browns fans.
In seven seasons with Cleveland, Haden went just 2-12 against the Steelers and his signing will add some luster to this season’s opener when Pittsburgh visits Cleveland on Sept. 10.
Burfict ban reduced
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict had his NFL suspension reduced from five to three games for his egregious hit on a Chiefs running back during the second preseason game.
Burfict leveled running back Anthony Sherman on a pass play when he wasn’t the intended target. Burfict appealed and had two games shaved off the punishment. He’ll miss home games against the Ravens and Texans and a road game with the Packers. He’ll be eligible to return for a game in Cleveland on Oct. 1.
Around the league
Browns offensive lineman Cam Erving, drafted No. 19 overall in 2015, was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs for a 2018 fifth-round draft pick . ... The Green Bay Packers, who had been looking for depth at outside linebacker, agreed to a oneyear contract with freeagent linebacker Ahmad Brooks, recently released by the 49ers . ... The Saints have cut long snapper Justin Drescher after reaching an injury settlement with the veteran who has played for New Orleans each of the past seven seasons.