HOUSTON TEXANS
Storyline of the week
Clowney contract: GM Brian Gaine said Week 1 would be the deadline for negotiating a new contract with edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney. “My policy on that is once the season starts, I don’t want to get into any negotiations,” Gaine said. “I want the players to focus solely on the field.” The club will also factor in the two-time Pro Bowler’s injury history into contract negotiations as Clowney spent the entire offseason rehabbing from knee surgery. Relations between the two sides are amicable. Houston picked up the fifthyear option on Clowney, and the No. 1 overall pick from the 2014 NFL draft will cost the Texans $14 million in salary cap space this season.
Rookie watch
Justin Reid, a thirdround pick, used to watch pro game tape with his older brother, ex-49ers safety Eric Reid, when Justin was at Stanford. The firstteam all-Pac-12 member is challenging veteran Kareem Jackson at free safety after Andre Hal’s Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis. Either would pair with strong safety Tyrann Mathieu.