Texans give Weeks one-year deal
The Texans have agreed to terms with veteran long snapper Jon Weeks on a one-year, $1.075 million contract, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
The veteran minimum salary benefit deal includes a $137,500 signing bonus as Weeks prepares for his 12th season with the Texans.
An unrestricted free agent who played last season under a one-year, $1.05 million contract that included $112,500 guaranteed, Weeks’ return gives kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn some familiarity as he adjusts to a new holder with punter Cameron Johnston replacing Bryan Anger.
The longest tenured player in franchise history, Weeks, 35, is a 2015 Pro Bowl selection who joined the Texans in 2010 as an undrafted free agent from Baylor after a successful tryout.
Weeks is known for his consistency and velocity on his snaps.
Weeks has played in a franchise-record 176 consecutive games, passing retired Pro Bowl wide receiver Andre Johnson for the most games in franchise history in November.
The Texans released long snapper Anthony Kukwa last week.
Fulton signs with Giants
Former Texans starting offensive guard Zach Fulton has joined the Giants on a one-year contract.
Fulton had a $3.75 million salary-cap figure and was due a $2 million nonguaranteed base salary in 2021 before being released by the Texans last week. He was due a $1 million roster bonus on March 22 that the team avoided having to pay.
Fulton being released creates $3 million in salary-cap space.
Fulton started every game last season for the Texans at right offensive guard.
The Texans acquired offensive guard Justin McCray on a two-year, $4 million contract. They also traded for New England Patriots offensive tackle Marcus Cannon and signed center Justin Britt to a one-year, $5 million contract.
Vaccines won’t be mandatory
The NFL and the players’ union have no plans at this point to make coronavirus vaccines mandatory for players, coaches or staff members, officials said.
The league and the NFL Players Association consistently have expressed support for vaccination efforts. But they will stop shy, based on their conversations thus far, of requiring vaccinations under their joint coronavirus protocols for participation in practices, games or other team-related activities.
“That is consistent with what our preliminary conversations about vaccines have been,” a person familiar with the NFLPA’s view told the Washington Post.
Odds and ends
Washington signed Adam Humphries to a one-year contract, a month after the oft-injured wide receiver was released by Tennessee. Injuries limited Humphries to just 19 games over the past two seasons with the Titans. A concussion cost him more than half of the 2020 season, and Titans coach Mike Vrabel said in January that Humphries remained in the concussion protocol. …
The Seahawks have bolstered their pass rush by signing former San Francisco defensive end Kerry Hyder Jr. Hyder is coming off his best season after setting career highs in starts (14), sacks (8½) and tackles (49). Injuries provided Hyder the opportunity to start for the 49ers and he responded with a standout performance. …
The Cardinals have added cornerback Malcolm Butler on a one-year deal in an effort to bolster a thin secondary and also traded center Mason Cole to the Vikings for a sixthround draft pick. … The Patriots have re-signed running back James White, bringing back a key veteran cog of their offense.