The Texans are cutting Pro Bowl return specialist Andre Roberts, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
Roberts was sidelined for the majority of the preseason with a bruised knee that was drained.
A Pro Bowl selection each of the past three seasons, the veteran return specialist had remained remarkable durable and productive as he heads into this 12th NFL season.
Signed by Texans general manager Nick Caserio to a two-year contract with a maximum value of $6.7 million that included a $1 million signing bonus, $2.5 million guaranteed and an annual $100,000 Pro Bowl incentive, Roberts, 33, is a former Arizona Cardinals third-round draft pick from The Citadel has averaged 9.0 yards per punt return for his career prior to this season with three touchdowns and 25.8 yards per kickoff return with two scores.
He averaged 30 yards per kickoff return and 9.9 yards per punt return last season for the Buffalo Bills. Roberts has caught 261 career passes for 3,044 yards and 15 touchdowns in 163 games with the Cardinals, Washington, Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, Jets and Bills.
Roberts was averaging 4.1 yards per punt return and 21.4 yards per kickoff return.
Aaron Wilson has covered the NFL for 20 years and has previously written for The Houston Chronicle and The Baltimore Sun. He’s on Twitter: @AaronWilson_NFL and Instagram: @aaronwilson7128