Fare-thee-well
The Texans says goodbye to OL David Quessenberry.
The Texans made an extremely painful roster decision Friday when they moved on from one of the most inspirational players in franchise history.
The Texans informed veteran offensive lineman David Quessenberry of his pending release. Quessenberry is a cancer survivor who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins T Lymphoblastic Lymphoma on June 10, 2014.
After undergoing years of treatment at MD Anderson, Quessenberry beat cancer and played in his first regular-season game last season against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
A former sixth-round draft pick from San Jose State, Quessenberry was an example of courage and perspective inside the Texans’ locker room.
“There’s a big difference between football and life, you know what I mean?” Texans coach Bill
O’Brien said. “He’s overcome a really horrific form of cancer. To come back and actually play professional football, that’s incredible.
“So his story will always be legendary here in Houston. David is really an awesome human being.”
Quessenberry eventually regained the 70 pounds he lost while undergoing chemotherapy.
“I”m very grateful,” Quessenberry said during training camp. “Every day is a blessing. Physically and mentally, I’m in a good place. Spiritually, I’m strong.”
Miller experiment coming to an end
The Texans’ three-year experiment with former Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller is coming to an end.
The wide receiver and former third-round draft pick has been informed of his pending release, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
The former Big Ten Conference Offensive Player of the Year had made strides as a route runner and with his hands, leading the Texans this preseason with 11 catches for 122 yards and one touchdown.
Miller had a career-high 19 catches for 162 yards and one touchdown last season. He has 57 career receptions for 261 yards and two scores.
The Texans have until Saturday afternoon to get down to the NFL roster limit of 53 players.
“We’re still working through some things,” coach Bill O’Brien said when asked about Miller’s status. “Braxton’s an improved player, no doubt about it, and we’ll see what happens.”
Moore, Anderson among likely cuts
The Texans are cutting former starting safety Corey Moore, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
Moore had lost ground on the depth chart with the acquisition of Tyrann Mathieu and Kareem Jackson moving to safety from cornerback along with drafting of Justin Reid in the third round.
The Texans are releasing tight end Stephen Anderson, who started five of 13 games last season and caught 36 passes with two touchdowns over the past two seasons. He had lost ground to rookie tight ends Jordin
Akins and Jordan Thomas.
The Texans will cut reserve cornerback Dee Virgin. Virgin had eight tackles and an interception against the Dallas Cowboys, but the team this week signed former Los Angeles Rams cornerback Kayvon Webster to a one-year, $2.25 million contract.
The Texans are cutting former University of Texas kicker Nick Rose. Regular kicker Ka’imi
Fairbairn is healthy now after recovering from a soft-tissue injury.
The Texans’ other pending cuts include: former University of Houston defensive end Nick Thurman, defensive linemen Darius Kilgo and Kingsley Opara, safety Ibraheim Campbell, offensive linemen Roderick Johnson, Anthony Coyle,
Mason Gentry and Jaryd Jones Smith, linebackers Kennan
Gilchrist and Josh Keyes, running back Lavon Coleman, former fifth-round defensive back Treston Decoud and cornerback Andre Chachere.
“I get attached to those players,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “It’s difficult when at some point in time you decide that maybe you’re moving on from that player.”
From extension to exit for Prosch
The Texans are cutting starting fullback Jay Prosch after giving him a three-year, $6.45 million contract extension a year ago, according to sources.
Prosch was due a $1 million guaranteed base salary this year, but he was used sparingly on offense and was primarily a special-teams contributor.
Swanson candidate for practice squad
Rookie running back Terry Swanson is a strong candidate for the practice squad if he clears waivers. The Texans signaled his release Friday.
The former Toledo standout had a 37-yard touchdown run in a preseason finale against the Dallas Cowboys, showing his speed in the open field. He rushed for 69 yards on 16 carries.