Weeks will get to extend longest-tenured status
Veteran long snapper Jon Weeks is back on the Texans’ roster.
The former Pro Bowl selection was re-signed to the same one-year, $1.187 million contract he signed this offseason, according to a league source not authorized to speak publicly.
Weeks is the longesttenured player in franchise history going back to 2010.
The deal has a $1.05 million base salary with $250,000 guaranteed, including his already paid $137,500 signing bonus and $112,500 base salary guarantee. Weeks’ deal applied the veteran salary benefit.
The Texans re-signed veteran offensive tackle Brent Qvale one day after terminating his contract, per league sources.
The 6-foot-7, 315-pound former Jets and Nebraska lineman signed a one-year, $1.047 million contract, with a $137,500 signing bonus, already paid, and $300,000 in total guarantees. It is the same deal he signed in the offseason.
Coulter will start season on IR
Texans fifth-round wide receiver Isaiah Coulter will begin the season on injured reserve, according to a league source not authorized to speak publicly.
Coulter has a neck injury that sidelined him intermittently at training camp and isn’t regarded as serious. He is expected to be designated for return at some point this season.
Watson’s deal has no-trade clause
Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson’s blockbuster $156 million contract extension includes a notrade clause, according to a league source with knowledge of the deal.
That type of language is relatively rare in an NFL contract and was an important negotiating point for the Pro Bowl selection.
The deal, which has a total maximum value of $174.5 million over the entire six years of the pact and $92 million in new money guarantees. The contract averages $39 million in new money, making him the secondhighest paid quarterback in the NFL in average per year behind Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Although Mahomes has a 10-year, $450 million deal, Watson’s contract pays him $17 million more than Mahomes in the first year, more than a $5 million payout through two years, a $10 million higher payout through three years and a $7 million higher payout over five years.
Mancz among 14 on practice squad
Center-guard Greg Mancz was signed to the Texans’ practice squad Sunday after being cut Saturday and clearing waivers.
Mancz underwent arthroscopic ankle surgery during the offseason. He was limited to nine games and one start last season. A former undrafted free agent, Mancz has started 28 of 54 career games.
The Texans signed former Seahawks running back C.J Prosise to the practice squad.
The Texans signed 14 players to the practice squad, including running back Scottie Phillips, wide receivers Chad Hansen, Steven Mitchell Jr. and Tyler Simmons, safety Jonathan Owens, cornerback Anthony Chesley, offensive guard Cordel
Iwuagwu (Westfield), offensive tackles Jerald Hawkins and Elijah Nkansah, inside linebacker Nathan Hall, outside linebacker Davin Bellamy, and nose tackle and Houston native Auzoyah Alufohai.
The Texans don’t have currently have a quarterback on the practice squad. Former Seahawks and Jaguars quarterback Alex McGough was released from the team last week and remains a free agent.
Blackson finds home in Arizona
Former Texans starting defensive end Angelo Blackson is signing with the Arizona Cardinals’ 53-man roster, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
Blackson is known for his ability to block kicks and is regarded as a solid run-stopper. The Texans’ belief in second-round defensive lineman Ross Blacklock and second-year defensive end Charles Omenihu led to them parting ways with Blackson.
Former Texans tight end Jordan Thomas is expected to sign with the Cardinals’ practice squad, according to a league source not authorized to speak publicly.
Gillaspia, Gaines return to practice
Texans fullback Cullen Gillaspia and cornerback Phlllip Gaines were back practicing Sunday afternoon, per a pool report.
A former Texas A&M 12th man and Katy Taylor graduate, Gillaspia (hamstring) and Gaines (ankle), a former Rice standout, missed the majority of training camp.