Texans Roster Cuts Include Case Keenum, Eddie Pleasant

Cut down day in the NFL is here and the Houston Texans have announced what players were not part of their 53-man roster. There were 20 players who the Texans either let go or placed on injured reserved in order to get their roster down to size.

Here are the players who are not part of the Texans 53-man roster:

Texans Trade Cornerback Sherrick McManis To The Chicago Bears

The Houston Texans have agreed on a deal to trade cornerback Sherrick McManis to the Chicago Bears for fullback Tyler Clutts, according to Mark Berman of FOX 26 News in Houston. The move comes after the Texans placed veteran fullback Moran Norris on waivers.

The trade signifies a homecoming of sorts for McManis, who grew up in Peoria, Ill. and played his college football at Northwestern. The three-year veteran, who was selected by Houston in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft, was essentially caught up in a numbers game at cornerback.

Clutts played collegiately at Fresno State and also spent time in the CFL. He is primarily used on special teams and was signed by the Bears off of the Cleveland Browns practice squad. He will most likely back up James Casey at fullback.

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Vikings Vs. Texans Reaction: Rashad Butler Injury Hurts Texans Bad

Typically, during the fourth game of the preseason, a team's most key contributors sit for the majority, if not the entire game to be cautious about their health entering the season. After losing out to Derek Newton for the starting right tackle spot, Rashad Butler became a backup, but was still very useful to the team as a swing tackle.

When the tackle torn his triceps and was lost for the season, Tim from Battle Red Blog talked about the importance of the injury:

Although Butler lost the fight to start at right tackle to Derek Newton, he was invaluable as a backup swing tackle, thanks to his experience on both sides. I'm not quite sure where the Texans go from here. Brandon Brooks might be able to back Newton up at RT (I stress "might), but there's no one on the current roster who would seem to be a viable backup for Duane Brown on Matt Schaub's blind side. I'm not really buying Andrew Gardner as a replacement for Rashad Butler.

As Tim notes, the starting lineup for the Texans will not change but the impact on the depth on the offensive line is huge and could force the team to start fishing for a new tackle on the waiver wire.

For more on the Texans go visit Battle Red Blog and SB Nation Houston.

Fan Dies At Texans Game After 3-Story Fall

A 45-year old man fell to his death while messing around near an escalator during the Houston Texans final preseason match at Reliant Stadium on Thursday.

Rashad Butler Injury Update: Texans Tackle Out for Season

Houston Texans backup tackle Rashad Butler has torn his tricep, and will miss the regular season, the team announced. Butler went out injured during the Texans' Thursday night preseason win over the Minnesota Vikings. Kubiak initially announced that the injury "did not look good." The Houston Chronicle's John McClain first reported Butler could be done for the year, and the team's official Twitter account confirmed the news after the game.

Kubiak says T Rashad Butler tore his triceps muscle tonight and will be out for the season. #HTPreseason

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) August 31, 2012

Butler, a six-year veteran of the NFL, had played in 34 games for the Texans over the last 3 seasons. He lost his starting right tackle spot earlier in the preseason, but was an important, experienced backup. He is in the final year of his contract with the Texans.

For more on the Texans go visit Battle Red Blog and SB Nation Houston.

Texans Vs. Vikings: Houston Beats Minnesota 28-24 to Close Preseason

The Houston Texans defeated the Minnesota Vikings 28-24 in Thursday night's final exhibition game at Reliant Stadium in a game light on stars but full of big plays. Houston halfback Justin Forsett scored the night's first touchdown on a 3-yard run in the first quarter. After a Vikings field goal narrowed the margin to 7-3, DeVier Posey took a John Beck pass 80 yards for a touchdown. The Vikings scored a long touchdown of their own, as Sage Rosenfels connected with Devon Aromashodu for a 58-yard touchdown late in the half.

The teams traded two touchdowns each in the third quarter, with Houston's scores coming by way of a 76-yard punt return by Trindon Holliday and Forsett's second touchdown of the night, a 5-yard run. Minnesota got a 59-yard touchdown pass and a Jordan Todman 76-yard run. Neither team managed to score in the fourth quarter, as the Texans were able to hold the Vikings out of the end zone as time expired.

With the regular season starting next weekend, both the Texans and Vikings rested their starters for the entirety of the game. Houston chose to sit both starting quarterback Matt Schaub and backup T.J. Yates, relying instead on third-stringer John Beck and rookie Case Keenum. Beck completed 6 of 10 attempts for 149 yards and a touchdown. Keenum went 5/10 for 43 yards. Forsett ran 13 times for 114 yards and two touchdowns. Posey led the team in receiving with two receptions for 93 yards, the vast majority of those coming on the aforementioned touchdown pass.

The game brings the exhibition season to a close for both teams. Houston opens their regular season next Sunday at Carolina.

For news and analysis from the Texans, pay a visit to Battle Red Blog. For your Vikings updates, head over to the Daily Norseman.

Rashad Butler Injury Update: Left Tackles Injury 'Does Not Look Good'

In the Houston Texans final preseason game of the year they are taking on the Minnesota Vikings, and the goal was to come out of the game injury free, or the best that they could. Backup left tackle Rashad Butler left the game late in the first half with a right elbow injury and is not going to return to the game.

Texans head coach Gary Kubiak added some more details to Butler's injury, and the head coach did not like what he saw. Kubiak just said that the elbow injury "did not look good." That is never a good thing for a head coach to say.

John McClain who covers the Texans for the Houston Chronicle is reporting that Butler could possibly be out for the season. More information will not be released until after Friday's game.

Butler has been with the Texans for the past three seasons and has seen time in 34 games.

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Texans Vs. Vikings: Houston Takes 14-10 Lead Into Half

For the final preseason game before the regular season kicks off, the Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings planned on playing their backups as most NFL teams tend to do.

Houston got on the board first through a quick 83 yard drive that ended in a three yard run touchdown for Justin Forsett. John Beck threw a quick pitch to DeVier Posey for an 80 yard TD near the end of the second quarter. Past the two scores, Jonathan Grimes had the best chance to add to the Texans' lead but ended up being stuffed on a 1 yard run right on the edge of the endzone.

A long drive by the Vikings near the end of the first quarter ended up leading to a field goal, with Sage Rosenfels tossing a 58 yard touchdown to Devin Aromashudo to add to the Vikings score -- that would be the final score of the first half.

Despite being down on the scoreboard, Minnesota has gashed the Texans defense on the ground so far with 132 yards on the ground at halftime. Rosenfels has thrown for 74 yards while being pressured heavily by the Texans defense.

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Texans Vs. Vikings: Rashad Butler Leaves Game Injured

Both the Vikings and Texans are playing mostly backups in their final preseason match up against each other, but that doesn't mean that injuries are welcome with the regular season right around the corner. Though the Texans have the 14-3 lead over Minnesota approaching half time, they have lost the services of LT Rashad Butler because of an elbow injury, as announced by the Texans' Twitter account during the game:

Injury update: Rashad Butler left the game with a right elbow injury and will not return #HTPreseason

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) August 31, 2012

No further word has been released on Butler's status since he left the game. The 29-year-old backup tackle has played in 34 games for the Texans over the past three seasons with them.

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Case Keenum Vs. John Beck: Who Will Be Houston Texans No. 3 QB?

Texans Vs. Vikings: Rookie WR DeVier Posey To See Large Role

Houston Texans rookie wide receiver DeVier Posey is preparing to make an impression in the team's final preseason tuneup against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday.

Posey, who was drafted in the third round of this year's draft out of Ohio State, wrote in his rookie diary on the Texans' Web site that he is supposed to be getting a lot of snaps in Thursday's contest and that he's ready to make an impact on the field and establish a comfort level.

From the diary:

For me, I look at it as a chance to show the coaches that you know what you're doing and show the veterans that you know what you're doing. Anytime you get an opportunity, you've got to just take advantage of it.

The 6'1, 211-pound wideout missed Houston's last preseason game, a 34-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints, with a sore calf muscle.

For more on the Texans, visit Battle Red Blog or head over to SB Nation Houston.

Vikings Vs. Texans 2012: Game Preview, Kickoff Time, TV Schedule And More

The Houston Texans take on the Minnesota Vikings in their final preseason game on Thursday night.

Case Keenum Playing For Texans Roster Spot Vs. Vikings

Case Keenum, a local hero, could be playing in the biggest moment of his career when the Texans play the Vikings in the final game on the preseason schedule. There won't be any Matt Schaub or T.J. Yates even. Just veteran John Beck and the rookie Keenum battling for the No. 3 quarterback spot.

Beck seems to be the guy with the inside track because of his experience and the fact that he's been an NFL starter in his career. Keenum has done everything the Texans have asked him to do this offseason and probably more, but that still might be enough to land him a spot on the roster.

Either way, he'll get to showcase his stuff like he hasn't before on this stage. Here's head coach Gary Kubiak, via Nick Scurfield, on the No. 3 quarterback battle:

"They've both done their job in camp. Two totally different guys; I'm talking about a veteran that's had some experience, some starting time, so do we go that direction or do we go with the young man that looks like he's got a bright future ahead of him? That's probably the toughest thing, but they both handle what we've done fine, and Case has come a long way. It'll probably have a lot to do with the rest of the makeup of the football team, to be honest."

Read more on the Texans at Battle Red Blog and SB Nation Houston.

Houston Texans Lineup To Be 'Fully Healthy' For Regular Season Opener

The Houston Texans expect to be "fully healthy" when they kick off the regular season against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 9, according to Nick Scurfield of HoustonTexans.com.

The Texans, the favorite to win the AFC South for a second straight year, have struggled with injuries in recent seasons, including the 2011 season that saw Matt Schaub go to the injured reserve with a Lisfranc injury and hamstring injuries that cost Andre Johnson nine games and Arian Foster three.

Defensive lineman J.J. Watt and Shaun Cody both returned to practice from injuries and the Texans expect to have Brian Cushing, Chris Myers and Johnson all back in time for the regular season opener. Johnson injured his ribs after a diving catch against the Saints in week three of the preseason, but X-rays came back negative.

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Andre Johnson Injury: Wide Receiver Misses Texans Monday Practice With Rib Injury

Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson had to sit out Monday's light practice.

After initially saying he had no rib soreness following Saturday's preseason game against the New Orleans Saints, Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said Johnson sat out practice because he was sore, via Tania Ganguli of the Houston Chronicle:

Johnson landed on part of the football Saturday while attempting to make a catch in New Orleans. He lost his breath for a second and left the game to have precautionary tests run.

Johnson said after the game that he did not have soreness in his ribs, but that might have changed. Gary Kubiak said Johnson was sore today.

Chris Myers, who also left Saturday's game early, sat out as well due to illness. The same goes for Brian Cushing, who has bruised ribs. Meanwhile, defensive lineman Shaun Cody and JJ. Watt returned to practice on Monday.

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Texans Vs. Vikings: Reliant Roof Closed, Isaac Storms Could Hit Houston

It looks like the roof will be closed when the Houston Texans play their final preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings at Reliant Stadium on Thursday night, via HoustonTexans.com.

Late Tuesday night, weather.com forecasted a high if 94 degrees with a 40 percent chance of rain on Thursday. The combination of the predicted high temperature and scattered thunderstorms means that the roof will be closed, per the team's roof policy. The Texans will only consider opening the roof if the temperature is projected to be between 50 and 80 degrees at gametime.

The kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. CT on Thursday. It can be seen on ABC-13/KTRK and heard on SportsRadio 610.

For the latest on the Houston Texans, be sure to check out Battle Red Blog and SB Nation Houston. Head over to SB Nation's NFL hub for even more NFL news. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel for video commentary.

Houston Texans Cut Eleven Players To Reach 75-Man Roster

NFL teams were required to have their 90 man rosters cut down to 75 by Monday afternoon and the Houston Texans cut several players in order to hit that limit, including some rookies and players who were injured.

The end results had the Texans cutting 11 players, putting one on injured reserve, one on the PUP list and allowing two to get waived/injured:

The Texans trimmed their roster from 90 to 75 players by releasing 11, waiving two others who were injured, placing rookie kicker Randy Bullock on injured reserve and placing linebacker Daryl Sharpton on the reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list. The league deadline to reduce rosters to 75 was Monday at 3 p.m. CT.

Also released were center Thomas Austin, inside linebacker Omar Gaither, wide receivers Bryant Johnson and Mario Louis, running back Davin Meggett, defensive end Jimmy Saddler-McQueen and cornerback Torri Williams. Nose tackle Sunny Harris and rookie inside linebacker Greg Williams were waived/injured.

Houston and the rest of the teams in the NFL have to put their rosters down to 53 players by Friday, the final cut of the preseason as they head into the regular season in early September.

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Texans Name Derek Newton Starting Right Tackle

The Houston Texans have named second-year player Derek Newton as the starting right tackle for the season opener against the Miami Dolphins.

Newton, drafted in the seventh round in 2011, appeared in 14 games last season but did not start. With the Texans cutting Eric Winston in the offseason, Newton was given the chance to battle veteran Rashad Butler for the starting job at right tackle. After three impressive preseason games, coach Gary Kubiak has decided the job is going to the young tackle.

The competition was close, however, according to Pro Football Talk.

"Looking at the body of work, I think it was very, very close, as I told y'all all along," Kubiak said in comments transcribed and distributed by the team. "I think the thing that has moved this toward Newton is watching his progress, watching where he was the end of last year going to the offseason, going through camp, watching him get better and better and better. Did a good job the other night. Young player that we think's ascending. We know that there's a lot of things he's got to clean up, but we think he's definitely committed to doing that, just like the way he's progressed. So we'll give him an opportunity to do it. Big responsibility but we think he's ready for it."

The Texans are excited about the potential for Newton to be a staple on the offensive line for years to come. The Texans featured one of the best offensive lines in the NFL last season, but have turned over two positions since 2011. Newton will have a lot of pressure to live up to lofty expectations.

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