Rehabbing Watt, Watson getting up to speed
Texans defensive end J.J. Watt has taken a major step forward in his recovery from a gruesome broken leg suffered last season.
Watt posted a video of him running at the Texans’ training facility along with quarterback Deshaun Watson, who is recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Watt wears an elastic wrap around his left leg; Watson does not have a brace on.
The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year suffered a tibial plateau fracture last season and is determined to make a strong comeback.
Watt has undergone three surgeries in the last two seasons, including two procedures to repair a herniated disk and another for his broken leg from a game against Kansas City.
Watt repeatedly has expressed optimism about his recovery, and general manager Brian Gaine said at the NFL scouting combine that he expects Watt to be ready for the first game of the season. Watson is hoping to participate in organized team activities on a limited basis.
Lechler back in fold for another season
The Texans reached a oneyear contract agreement with punter Shane Lechler.
Lechler will get $2 million — a $1.4 million base salary and a $600,000 signing bonus.
Lechler, 41, will be punting in his 19th season and his sixth with the Texans.
Last season, Lechler had a 49yard average, including a net of 41.3. He punted 32 inside the 20 and had five touchbacks.
Moore, Kamalu sign one-year contracts
The Texans have re-signed exclusive-rights free agents Corey Moore and Ufomba Kamalu to one-year, $630,000 contracts.
Moore is a safety who ended last season on injured reserve with a Grade 2 sprained medial collateral ligament. He was a starter before being replaced by Marcus Gilchrist. Moore is a former undrafted free agent from Georgia who recorded 27 tackles in 14 games and three starts last season.
Kamalu (6-5, 300) is a former undrafted free agent from Miami. He had six tackles and two sacks last season in nine games and two starts. He has three career sacks in two NFL seasons.
Titans plan to cut running back Murray
The Tennessee Titans said they plan to cut starting running back DeMarco Murray.
Murray ran for an AFC-leading 1,287 yards and nine touchdowns to make the Pro Bowl in 2016, his first year with the Titans. He ran for 659 yards and six touchdowns last season as Derrick Henry gradually took a bigger role in the running game.
Murray was due $6.5 million next season.
“I want to thank DeMarco for his contributions as a Titan, not only for what he did on the field but also in the locker room and in the community,” Titans general manager Jon Robinson said. “He was a pro in every facet.”
Odds and ends
San Francisco rewarded wide receiver Marquise Goodwin for his career-best season by giving him a three-year contract extension worth $20.3 million. Goodwin was one of the 49ers’ best free-agent acquisitions last season when he signed a two-year deal, giving the team a needed deep threat down the field. Goodwin, 27, set career highs last season with 56 catches for 962 yards and scored two touchdowns. The former Olympic long jumper from the University of Texas caught only 49 passes for 780 yards in four seasons with Buffalo. … Jarvis Landry signed his $16 million, one-year franchise tag, a person familiar with the situation told the Associated Press. The Dolphins have been shopping the three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, and the procedural move allows them to trade him as early as next Wednesday, when the NFL’s new year begins. Miami gave Landry the franchise tag last month. He made $894,000 last season when he led the NFL with 112 catches. … Defensive end Owa Odighizuwa is getting an opportunity to resume his NFL career by signing a one year-contract with Buffalo. Odighizuwa missed all of last season after being cut by New York Giants in August shortly after the NFL suspended him for four games for violating the league’s policy on performanceenhancing substances. … Los Angeles signed former Green Bay starting cornerback Sam Shields, who had 23 interceptions, including the playoffs, from 2010-2015. His 2016 season was cut short after one game after he suffered a concussion, and he did not play at all in 2017. … Cincinnati signed defensive tackle Chris Baker to a one-year deal. Baker played with Tampa Bay last season after spending six seasons with Washington and one each with Miami and Denver.