Aug 25, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans tight end Owen Daniels (81) warms up before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports
The Houston Texans have released one of their better veteran players, as Owen Daniels has been released by the Houston Texans.
John McClain of the Houston Chronicle first tweeted the release of Daniels.
Texans released TE Owen Daniels.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) March 11, 2014
One of the reasons Daniels was released was he was due $4.5 million this upcoming season, as he was coming off an leg injury.
No the lone TE on the Texans roster is Ryan Griffin, unless they are able to re-sign Garrett Graham, who is a free agent.
"“Daniels would have counted $6.25 million against the salary cap, but now that his dead money figure will be $1.75 million, the Texans have saved $4.5 million overall.”"
This release seemed to be about finances, as the NFL is a business first and foremost.
Daniels is one of the better players to ever suit up for the Texans, but I’m honestly not surprised about this release as it is a new era in Houston, plus it does save a lot on the salary cap, which is a plus.
Texans fans will most likely miss having Daniels on the field, but it seems like it was something the team had to do for business reasons.
In eight NFL seasons, all with the Texans, Daniels played in 100 regular-season games, where he caught 385 passes for 4,617 yards and 29 touchdowns.
The most receptions he had in a single season was 70 in 2008, and in 2012, in 15 games, he totaled 62 catches.
This past season in just five games, Daniels totaled 24 receptions for 252 yards and three touchdowns.
In four of his eight seasons with the Texans, Daniels caught for over 600 yards in a season.
Now it will be interesting to see not only what the Texans do at tight end this offseason, but where will Daniels end up for the 2014 season.
Daniels was originally drafted in the fourth round (pick 98) by the Texans in 2006.
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