The Houston Texans cut 38 players Saturday, trimming their roster to the NFL-mandated 53 players. Here’s a closer look at the final cuts:
Most significant move: Nick Novak was an important part of the Texans’ offense last season due to the team’s struggles in the red zone. The 36-year-old made 85.4 percent of his field goals last season and made all 24 of his field goal attempts from less than 40 yards. Instead, the Texans will go at kicker with second-year pro Ka'imi Fairbairn, who made 3 of 4 field goals this preseason and has a strong leg. The Texans kept Fairbairn around on injured reserve last season because they thought he had a future in Houston.
Only two quarterbacks: By releasing Brandon Weeden, the Texans will rely on Tom Savage and first-round pick Deshaun Watson, because Houston would rather use that roster spot at another position. The Texans carried three quarterbacks in 2016 -- Brock Osweiler, Savage and Weeden -- but are confident in Savage and Watson this season. If Weeden isn’t picked up by another team, he could return to Houston if either Savage or Watson gets injured during the season. Weeden was active for all but three of the Texans’ 18 games last season behind Osweiler and Savage but did not see action.
Quessenberry cut: Texans players and coaches have spoken very highly of offensive tackle David Quessenberry, who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin T-lymphoblastic lymphoma three years ago. The 2013 sixth-round draft pick finished his last chemotherapy treatment in early April and returned to the practice field for the first time during OTAs. He had been on the Texans' non-football illness list since 2015, but played this preseason.
Texans moves
Released (4): QB Brandon Weeden, K Nick Novak, OLB Mike Catapano, ILB Sio Moore.
Waived (24): WR Dres Anderson, NT Eli Ankou, C Erik Austell, TE Evan Baylis, S K.J. Dillon, T Laurence Gibson, WR Justin Hardee, NT Rickey Hatley, WR Germone Hopper, CB Bryce Jones, WR Marcus Leak, OLB Eric Lee, WR Riley McCarron, RB Dare Ogunbowale, OLB Gimel President, G David Quessenberry, IL Shakeel Rashad, CB Marcus Roberson, DE David Ross, G Chad Slade, WR Chris Thompson, J Josh Walker, OLB Tony Washington Jr., ILB Avery Williams.
Waived/injured (7): TE RaShaun Allen, S Lonnie Ballentine, P Cory Carter, DE Matthew Godin, CB Denzel Rice, S Malik Smith, WR Wendall Williams.
Waived with an injury settlement (3): CB Robert Nelson Jr., OLB Dayon Pratt, WR Devin Street.