Tag: paul butler

Report: Texans work out offensive tackle Andre Smith

On Tuesday, the Houston Texans worked out offensive tackle Andre Smith, Travis Vornkahl and tight end Paul Butler. None were signed.

The Houston Texans continue to tinker with their offensive line. On Tuesday, the team worked out offensive tackles Andre Smith and Travis Vornkahl as well as tight end Paul Butler, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.

The Texans did not sign any of the three.

Smith, 32, was released by the Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 30. They previously made him a first-round selection in 2009 out of Alabama. He had stints with the Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals before returning to the team in 2018.

According to Pro Football Focus, Smith allowed three sacks on 254 blocking snaps before his release.

Vornkahl, 24, went undrafted out of West Texas A&M in 2019. He measures in at 6-5, 300-pounds. He spent time with the Washington Redskins practice squad earlier in the season.

Butler, 26, is in his second year in the NFL. He spent his collegiate career at the University of California. He previously played with the Oakland Raiders.

Jerwin Ancajas to defend his title against Chilean Miguel Gonzalez

Junior bantamweight titleholder Jerwin Ancajas will defend his belt against Miguel Gonzalez of Chile on December 7 in Puebla, Mexico.

Filipino junior bantamweight Jerwin Ancajas has been training and waiting, all in the hopes of getting another chance to defend his title for an eighth time.

His patience paid off this week. Ancajas (31-1-2, 21 knockouts) will defend his 115-pound belt against Miguel Gonzalez (31-2, 8 KO) of Chile on December 7 in Puebla, Mexico on a Top Rank card featuring another title fight, junior featherweight champion Emanuel Navarrete versus Francisco Horta.

The card will be streamed on on ESPN+.

Ancajas had been scheduled to fight Mexican Jonathan Rodriguez on November 2 at Carson, California. But the bout was canceled when Rodriguez was unable to acquire a visa.

“I am ready to defend my world title in front of the great Mexican fans,” said Ancajas, who has held his title since a unanimous decision over McJoe Arroyo on Sept. 3, 2016 in the Philippines. “Since my fight against Rodriguez was canceled, I’ve stayed in America to train. I am in fantastic shape. Gonzalez is a worthy challenger and has beaten good opposition to earn this title shot.”

Gonzalez has fought all but one of his fights in Chile. In his only bout outside of home country, he lost a unanimous decision to Paul Butler in the U.K. on Sept. 21, 2013. He was stopped by Australian Andrew Moloney in a title eliminator on March 22.