Takeaways from Houston Texans releasing Demaryius Thomas

The Houston Texans have released Pro Bowl veteran wide receiver, Demaryius Thomas.

The Houston Texans have decided to release Pro Bowl wide receiver and Super Bowl 50  champion Demaryius Thomas ahead of the start of NFL free agency in early March. NFL reporter James Palmer broke the news early Tuesday morning. This is the second Achilles injury Thomas has sustained since tearing his right Achilles in his rookie season, he injured his left Achilles tendon against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16.

After Will Fuller was ruled out for the rest of the season for tearing his ACL, Thomas was acquired from the Denver Broncos at the trade deadline for a 2019 fourth-round draft pick and swapping seventh-round draft selections.

The trade brought the Texans another receiver capable of demanding attention from the opposing defenses and a strong veteran presence in the locker room. Thomas finished his lone season with the Texans with 20 receptions for 238 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Thomas was a candidate to return next season, but the severity of the injury was going to keep Thomas out for the majority of next season. Thomas was going to be out for training camp, preseason, and possibly the first few games due to the seriousness of an Achilles injury.

Running back D’Onta Foreman and cornerback Kayvon Webster suffered similar injuries the season prior and was not able to step on the football field in the early portion of the season due to the arduous rehabilitation process.

Texans will open up a chunk of cap space after releasing Thomas. According to Spotrac, Texans had an estimate of $61,635,215 before the transaction took place and they will now have $75,635,215 after the move.