AP Source: Texans Release WR Andre Johnson
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HOUSTON (AP) - Andre Johnson has been released by the Houston Texans, and quarterback Ryan Mallett has agreed to return to the team.
A person with knowledge of the move told The Associated Press on Monday that the 12-year veteran Johnson's career in Houston is over. The person spoke Monday on condition of anonymity because no formal announcement had been made by the team.
Johnson, the longest-tenured Texan, was a first-round draft pick in 2003, joining the expansion team in its second season.
The 33-year-old Johnson had 85 catches for 936 yards last season, but the Texans were beginning to see DeAndre Hopkins as their top receiving threat.
Johnson is a seven-time Pro Bowler with seven 1,000-yard receiving seasons and has 1,012 receptions with 13,597 yards receiving in his career.
He led the NFL in yards receiving in 2008 and 2009. His career high came in 2012 when he had 1,598 yards receiving and the Texans reached the playoffs for the second time.
Houston also re-signed two of its free agents, cornerback Kareem Jackson and tackle Derek Newton.
Mallett has agreed to terms on a two-year contract with the Texans, another person familiar with the contract told the AP. The deal is worth $7 million over two years, with $1.75 million guaranteed. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team has not announced the contract.
Mallett joined Houston last year in a trade with New England. A third-round draft pick by the Patriots in 2011, he appeared in only four games for them as Tom Brady's backup. But he started twice in three appearances for Houston before tearing a pectoral muscle and missing the rest of the season.
He's projected as the 2015 starter for the Texans, who also have Ryan Fitzpatrick and Tom Savage under contract and have shown interest in free agent Brian Hoyer.
Jackson comes off a strong season. He was drafted by the Texans 20th overall in 2010 and has started 71 of 74 games. Last year, in 13 games, he was the team's top coverage defensive back and had 57 tackles (48 solo), nine passes defensed and three interceptions, including a career-high two in a Week 16 win over Baltimore.
Newton has appeared in 60 games since being selected in the seventh round in 2011, including starting the last 46 games he's played in at right tackle.
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