Texans cut K Novak; QB Weeden to get down to 53

HOUSTON, Texas -- The Houston Texans released kicker Nick Novak, their starter for the past two seasons, and veteran quarterback Brandon Weeden as they reduced their roster to the 53-player maximum Saturday.

Novak lost his job because of the performance in camp of former UCLA standout Ka'imi Fairbairn. Fairbairn signed with the Texans last season after going undrafted and spent all of last year on the injured reserve.

Novak appeared in every game last season and made 35 of 41 field goals and 22 of 25 extra points. He signed with the Texans in 2015 after spending the previous four seasons with the Chargers.

Weeden appeared in two games with one start for Houston in 2015, but did not play last season. Houston's starter is Tom Savage and former Clemson star Deshaun Watson, who was drafted in the first round this year, is the team's backup at quarterback.

Houston also released offensive lineman David Quessenberry, a cancer survivor who had been on the team's non-football illness list since 2015, but finished chemotherapy and returned to practice this offseason.

The Texans also released safety Lonnie Ballentine, who had appeared in four games over the last two seasons, speedy receiver Wendall Williams, who played three games as a rookie last season and safety K.J. Dillon who appeared in five games last year.

Also released on Saturday were receivers Dres Anderson, Justin Hardee, Germone Hopper, Riley McCarron, Chris Thompson and Marcus Leak; linebackers Avery Williams, Sio Moore, Mike Catapano, Tony Washington, Shakeel Rashad, Gimel President and Eric Lee; offensive linemen Erik Austell, Chad Slade, Josh Walker and Laurence Gibson; defensive linemen Eli Ankou, Rickey Hatley and Daniel Ross; cornerbacks Bryce Jones and Marcus Roberson; tight end Evan Baylis and running back Dare Ogunbowale.

Report a typo to the ABC13 staff