Report: NFL investigating Texans for tampering with Pats’ Caserio

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The NFL is investigating tampering charges against the Texans after the Patriots accused them of contacting New England director of player personnel Nick Caserio for the Houston general manager job.

ESPN.com reported that New England complained to the league after Texans executive vice president of team development Jack Easterby, a former Patriots chaplain, attended the team's championship ring ceremony at the home of owner Robert Kraft. The Texans fired GM Brian Gaine the next day, less than 18 months after he took over the job.

ESPN.com noted that Easterby and Caserio are represented by the same agent, Bob LaMonte.

The Texans have requested permission to interview Caserio for their GM job, but it has not been given, the website said.

LIONS TRADE TE ROBERTS TO PATRIOTS FOR CONDITIONAL PICK

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The Detroit Lions traded tight end Michael Roberts to the New England Patriots for a conditional draft pick.

Detroit made the move Thursday, creating an open roster spot. ESPN reported the Lions may get a seventh-round selection for Roberts in 2020.

Roberts became expendable this offseason. The Lions drafted Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson early in the first round of the NFL draft in April after signing veterans Jesse James and Logan Thomas.

Detroit drafted Roberts in the fourth round two years ago. He has 13 career receptions for 146 yards

and three touchdowns.

The Patriots added depth at tight end by acquiring Roberts, giving them another option following the retirement of Rob Gronkowski.

JETS ADD CB IN MARK MYERS, WAIVE S JOHN BATTLE

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets have signed cornerback Mark Myers and waived safety John Battle.

Joe Douglas wasn't kidding when he said during his introductory news conference that he would scour

the waiver wire to add players. The new general manager made his second move in as many days Thursday to bring in a cornerback.

He claimed Montrel Meander off waivers from Oakland on Wednesday.

Myers was signed last year by Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent out of Southeastern University. He did not appear in a regular season game for the Buccaneers. Myers played for Orlando of the now-defunct Alliance of American Football during the winter.

Battle joined the Jets last month as an undrafted free agent out of LSU, where he was a teammate of safety Jamal Adams.

Associated Press file photo Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio was contacted by the Houston Texans, according to the Patriots.