HOUSTON — The Houston Texans released return specialist Andre Roberts Monday afternoon, as reported by Sports Talk 790 reporter Aaron Wilson. Roberts appeared in six games for the Texans, where he muffed two punts earlier in the season for the first time in his career.
Roberts never resembled the player that bestowed him as one of the best kick-off returners over the past decade, as he averaged 21.4 yards per return with the Texans — which marked his lowest average since 2011.
While some may claim that father time is the rationale behind his lack of production at 33 years old, a knee injury could have defaulter Roberts’ time in Houston.
“That’s unlike him,” coach David Culley said following the Texans’ loss to the Carolina Panthers in late September. “He’s never had a history of doing that. Obviously, that’s not acceptable for us to do that and he understands that. But as I said last night, I have the upmost confidence in him and hopefully he comes out of that.”
Before the start of the 2021 campaign, Roberts missed the entire preseason and nearly all of training camp with a bruised knee.
Roberts told reporters he felt “great” ahead of the Texans’ season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. But a growing disconnect between the former Pro-Bowler and the Texans organization began to emerge regarding his availability.
Beginning with a torn meniscus in 2015, Roberts has dealt with a plethora of lower leg injuries that have thwarted his career. In August, Roberts spoke on the precaution he has taken to improve his health in hopes of getting through an entire NFL season.
“A lot of treatment, a little bit of luck,” he said during Texans training camp. “In the NFL, you’re going to have an injury here and there. But a little bit of luck, try to stay away from concussions, try to stay away from those big hits, and I try to do my best with that every year.”
The jettison of Roberts marks the third offseason acquisition general manager Nick Caserio released mid-season, and there is a great possibility that more will follow.
But while the culture and lack of on-field production played a factor in the release of Anthony Miller and Shaq Lawson, Roberts’ dismissal could have been due to the results of playing on a mutilated knee that wasn’t ready to take on the wear and tear of the Texans’ season.
Following the release of Roberts, nickel Desmond King will likely take the helm as the Texans’ full-time kickoff returner moving forward.