The Houston Texans have released center Justin Britt on Friday. This doesn't come as a surprise considering Britt only played one game for the Texans this past season. The 31-year-old left the team after Week 1 due to personal reasons. He never returned to the Texans and it's possible his NFL career is over. He signed a two-year deal with the Texans last offseason. The move to release Britt frees up $3 million in cap space for the Texans. The former second-round pick had some solid years earlier in his career with the Seattle Seahawks. He should be able to secure another job in the NFL, but it remains to be seen if Britt even wants to play anymore.
The Houston Texans placed center Justin Britt (personal) on the Reserve/Non-Football Illness list on Tuesday. Britt has been away from the team for what head coach Lovie Smith has termed "personal reasons." It remains to be seen when the 31-year-old veteran will rejoin the team this year. He played all 70 of the team's offensive snaps in the Week 1 tie with the Indianapolis Colts, but he wasn't with the team for their Week 2 loss to the Denver Broncos. With Britt out last Sunday, Scott Quessenberry served as the starting center and played 100 percent of the offensive snaps against Denver.
The Houston Texans agreed to terms with offensive lineman Justin Britt and A.J. Cann on Monday, according to a source. Britt was signed for two years and $9 million. The 30-year-old former second-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks spent the first six seasons of his career in Seattle before sitting out in 2020. He played in 11 games for the Texans last year while dealing with a knee injury. Britt will be the team's projected starting center in 2022. Cann is joining the team on a two-year, $10.5 million deal. Also 30, Cann played the first seven seasons of his career for the Jacksonville Jaguars, primarily playing right guard. Both Britt and Cann are hoping to improve Houston's offensive line next season and beyond.
Justin Britt Expected To Return To Action This Week
Houston Texans center Justin Britt (knee) is expected to be able to play against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 13. Britt was designated for return from injured reserve last week after being sidelined by a hyperextended knee. The starting center for Houston was replaced in the lineup by rookie Jimmy Morrissey, who will now return to a reserve role. Britt's return will be a boost for the Houston offensive line and the running game. Right tackle Charlie Heck told reporters, "He kind of brings a consistency to the o-line, having that veteran in the middle. That's been great for us this week." The Texans will look to pick up their third win as they host the Colts in Week 13.
The Seattle Seahawks are prepared to release center Justin Britt, a move that would save them around $8.5 million in salary cap space. Guard D.J. Fluker announced he was released on Sunday, a move that saves around $3.6 million. Britt missed the last eight games of 2019 with a torn ACL. With him on his way out, it'll be either B.J. Finney or Joey Hunt starting at center in 2020. Fluker, a former first-rounder of the Chargers in 2013, has battled injuries for most of his career. Seattle has plenty of options at guard moving forward, and it sure looks like they might make a run at re-signing defensive end Jadeveon Clowney with the money they save with these two cuts.
The Seattle Seahawks only had one above-average lineman in 2016, and by re-signing center Justin Britt, they hope to hang on to him for at least a few more years. Notorious for their low spending on the offensive line, the three-year extension signed by Britt on Thursday will be a blessing for Russell Wilson and the Seahawks. Britt was the only member of the Seattle offensive line to log a ProFootballFocus grade above 70 in both run and pass support last season, and he allowed no hits on Wilson for the entire year.
