Thursday's NFL: Texans lose 5th-round pick, fined for extra Watson benefit
Houston — The Houston Texans lost their pick in the fifth round of this year’s draft and must pay a $175,000 fine for a salary cap reporting violation involving Deshaun Watson, the NFL announced Thursday.
A review by the league determined the Texans provided their then-quarterback Watson with undisclosed compensation in the form of a membership at an alternate athletic facility in 2020. Clubs must report any player compensation or benefit as part of the salary cap requirements in the collective bargaining agreement.
Watson spent his first five seasons with the Texans before being traded to the Browns a year ago.
He didn’t play for the Texans in the 2021 season, sitting out following a trade request and after sexual misconduct allegations during massage sessions made by two dozen women. He served an 11-game suspension this season due to those allegations and has settled 23 civil lawsuits.
Thursday’s discipline against the Texans leaves the team with 10 picks in the upcoming draft, including the second overall pick and the 12th in the first round they received as part of the trade that sent Watson to Cleveland.
Jets agree on deal with Ravens to acquire S Clark
The New York Jets are acquiring veteran safety Chuck Clark from the Baltimore Ravens, according to a person with knowledge of the trade.
New York agreed Thursday to send a seventh-round draft pick in 2024 to Baltimore, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because teams can't announce trades until the NFL's new year begins next Wednesday.
NFL Network first reported the trade of Clark to New York.
While the Jets await word from quarterback Aaron Rodgers on his future and whether he wants to join them in a trade, New York addressed its secondary.
With Lamarcus Joyner scheduled to be a free agent after starting 14 games in his second season with the Jets, Clark would appear to be his replacement opposite Jordan Whitehead at safety. Whitehead's spot on the roster appears a bit uncertain, though, since he will count $10.2 million on the salary cap next season.
The Jets already began working on clearing cap space by deciding Thursday to release wide receiver/kick returner Braxton Berrios, an All-Pro selection as a kick returner in 2021 who was due to count $8.2 million on the cap.
New York appears set at cornerback with Sauce Gardner, the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, and veteran D.J. Reed, and now brings in a sure tackler at safety in Clark.
The 27-year-old Clark has played all six of his NFL seasons with the Ravens since being drafted in the sixth round in 2017 out of Virginia Tech. But his starting role appeared uncertain with the Ravens expected to move Kyle Hamilton, their first-rounder last year, into Clark's spot.
Baltimore also will clear about $4 million in salary cap space, which will help the Ravens after they put the nonexclusive franchise tag on quarterback Lamar Jackson on Tuesday. Jackson would make $32.4 million if he plays this season on the nonexclusive tag.
Clark, a starter for most of the past four seasons, has five interceptions, 3 1/2 sacks and five forced fumbles in his career.
Jets releasing WR/KR Braxton Berrios
The New York Jets are releasing wide receiver/kick returner Braxton Berrios in a salary cap move, according to a person familiar with the decision.
Berrios, an All-Pro selection as a kick returner in 2021, was due to count $8.2 million on the cap and the sides couldn't come to an agreement on a restructured contract. The person spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday on condition of anonymity because the move won't become official until the NFL's new year begins next Wednesday.
ESPN first reported the Jets' decision to release Berrios.
New York will save $5 million on the cap by releasing Berrios, but will have $3.2 million in dead money. Berrios was re-signed last offseason to a two-year, $12 million contract. He's the first significant player to be cut by the Jets as they try to improve their salary cap situation.
New York was slightly over the cap heading into next week, but recently cleared $3.6 million when they restructured tight end C.J. Uzomah's contract by converting $4.5 million of this year's salary into a bonus.
The 27-year-old Berrios was a versatile presence in the Jets' offense and on special teams during his four seasons in New York. He was claimed off waivers by the Jets from New England in 2019 after being a sixth-round pick of the Patriots out of Miami in 2018.
Berrios has 107 career catches for 1,085 yards and five touchdowns — all with the Jets. He also has averaged 24.9 yards on kickoff returns, including leading the league with 30.4 yards per return in 2021. Berrios also has averaged 11.4 yards on punt returns in his career.
Personnel dept.
... Minnesota Vikings safety Lewis Cine could participate in spring practices, less than eight months after a badly broken lower left leg cut short his rookie season.
Coach Kevin O'Connell said Thursday that Cine has made remarkable progress through the rehabilitation process for the compound fracture he suffered in London on Oct. 2. Cine was hurt while blocking for a punt return in Minnesota's game against New Orleans. The first-round draft pick out of Georgia needed surgery and remained in London the week after the game, until he was cleared to fly home.
Cine could be ready for on-field work with the Vikings when they begin organized team activities in late May, O'Connell said.
“I’m just so proud of where he’s at, his desire to be in this building every day, doing the things that we’re asking him to do, and then going beyond that,” O'Connell said. “He’s been fantastic.”