Houston, TX – Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak announced on Friday the names of 19 players who will be waived or released by the team as it gets its roster down to the required 53-man limit, with record-setting college quarterback Case Keenum among the cuts.
In addition, the team traded cornerback Sherrick McManis to the Chicago Bears in exchange for fullback Tyler Clutts.
Keenum, an undrafted free agent who threw for over 19,000 yards and 155 touchdowns during an outstanding career at the nearby University of Houston, lost out in a competition with veteran John Beck to be the No. 3 quarterback behind Matt Schaub and T.J. Yates.
Kubiak said that the 24-year-old Keenum would be a candidate for the practice squad.
"Obviously, we think a lot of Case and what he's done, and we've got to put a practice squad together," Kubiak said. "He's getting great consideration from that standpoint, so we're going to make sure we've got enough guys knowing our system moving forward so we don't get caught like we did last year and having to scramble in such a tough time."
Also let go were veteran fullback Moran Norris, running back Jonathan Grimes, safety Eddie Pleasant, tight ends Logan Brock and Phillip Supernaw, defensive ends Keith Browner, David Hunter and Mitch King, outside linebackers D.J. Bryant, Delano Johnson, and Rennie Moore, nose tackle Hebron Fangupo, wide receiver Juaquin Iglesias, inside linebacker Shawn Loiseau, wide receiver Jeff Maehl, offensive tackle Nathan Menkin, center Cody Wallace and guard Cody White.
Norris owns 58 career starts over 11 NFL campaigns with New Orleans, Houston, San Francisco and Detroit. He was signed by the team for a second tour of duty in June.
Clutts spent the entire 2011 season with the Bears and started eight games, catching eight passes for 48 yards and making four special-teams tackles. The 27-year-old has also previously played with the CFL's Edmonton Eskimos (2008-09) and had stops in both the Arena Football League and United Football League.
McManis was a fifth-round pick of the Texans in 2010 and had 18 tackles and one interception in 23 games over the last two seasons, seeing most of his time on special teams.
The Texans still have three cuts to make to set the 53-man roster, though offensive tackle Rashad Butler and wide receiver Jerrell Jackson (quadriceps) are expected to be placed on injured reserve. Butler tore his triceps in Thursday's preseason finale against Minnesota.
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