Houston Texans release running back Duke Johnson
The Houston Texans have released running back Duke Johnsonand center Nick Martin, the team announced Friday.
The Texans acquired Johnson from the Cleveland Browns during training camp in 2019 for a third-round pick.
In 11 games for the Texans last season, Johnson rushed for 235 yards and a touchdown on 77 carries. The pass-catching running back had a career-low 28 receptions for 249 yards and a touchdown.
Johnson backed up Carlos Hyde in 2019 and David Johnson in 2020. During the 2020 season, he started in place of David Johnson when the starter missed time due to a concussion and spending a week on the COVID-19 list.
Martin was a second-round draft pick in 2016 and signed a three-year $33 million contract in 2019 that included more than $18 million guaranteed.
He was owed a $7.25 million base salary in 2021 and will have a dead money charge of $2.5 million. After missing his rookie season with a foot injury, Martin started 62 games in the past four seasons in Houston.
