The Houston Texans continue to cut players as they work towards getting their roster down to 53 by the deadline, which is 4 p.m. EST on Saturday.
News already broke of the team cutting 2014 third round selection/bust Louis Nix III, now add a fan favorite and preseason star to the list as the team has given a pink slip to wide receiver Uzoma Nwachukwu, per ESPN’s Tania Ganguli and linebacker Kourtnei Brown per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
Texans have released outside linebacker Kourtnei Brown, according to sources
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 4, 2015
EZ Nwachukwu was comedic relief to some, but maybe a bit over the top for others, while being shown on the HBO reality series “Hard Knocks.” Despite his charisma, it was an uphill battle from the start as the team is deep at receiver with DeAndre Hopkins, Cecil Shorts III, Nate Washington, Jaelen Strong and Keith Mumphery all set to make the team.
Brown had two sacks against the San Francisco 49ers in the Texan’s first preseason game. Against the Denver Broncos the following week he scored on a 69-yard interception return and added a fumble recovery against New Orleans and another sack against Dallas.
Yet, his inconsistencies and inability to cover his assignments, detailed on the latest episode of “Hard Knocks,” highlights why the 27-year old was eventually let go. Undrafted in 2012 out of Clemson, Brown has yet to play in a regular season game.
EZ was also undrafted, as the Texans signed him in 2013 out of Texas A&M. He started to make some progress during training camp but never showed enough during the games to justify beating out the players ahead of him.
Other players reportedly released include receiver Damaris Johnson, defensive lineman Brandon Deaderick and running back Kenny Hilliard.