Texans veteran cornerback Desmond King was a healthy scratch for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams for disciplinary reasons, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
King had an unexcused absence for a mandatory team activity Saturday, according to sources.
Following the Texans' 38-22 defeat at NRG Stadium, Texans coach David Culley acknowledged that King was deactivated for disciplinary reasons.
"We'll see," Culley said when asked if King will play next week against the Miami Dolphins.
When asked what happened, Culley declined to elaborate on the situation.
"That's internal," Culley said. "It's a disciplinary thing. We'll keep it in-house."
King being sidelined bears watching as the Texans have had some calls about their cornerbacks regarding prospective trades. It's unclear if anything will be worked out, though.
King, signed to a one-year, $5 million contract, is a former All-Pro selection who shined as a punt returner last Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. In seven games and three starts, he has 36 tackles and one forced fumble. He had four punt returns for 51 yards against the Cardinals providing a spark in the return game.
Vernon Hargreaves and Terrance Mitchell were the starting corners.
With King out, the Texans leaned on Tremon Smith and Danny Amendola to handle the return duties.
Tight end Pharaoh Brown was out with a hamstring injury, so rookie tight end Brevin Jordan was active and caught his first NFL touchdown.
And rookie center Jimmy Morrissey was active for the first time since being signed off of the Las Vegas Raiders' practice squad one day after the Texans placed center Justin Britt on injured reserve with a knee injury. Justin McCray started at center.
The Texans also deactivated cornerbacks Cre'Von LeBlanc and Jimmy Moreland, wide receiver Davion Davis, defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson and quarterback Deshaun Watson (non-injury reasons-personal matter).
Watson, the subject of trade discussions between the Texans the Miami Dolphins, is not expected to be traded by the NFL deadline due to the team's high demands for appropriate value in exchange for Pro Bowl quarterback and his unresolved legal issues, according to multiple league sources. The deadline isTuesday afternoon.
The Texans already traded Pro Bowl running back Mark Ingram to the New Orleans Saints for a 2024 seventh-round draft pick and paid him a $250,000 bonus to account for the Saints' extremely tight salary cap situation.
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