Brandin Cooks
Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) throws a pass during an NFL football training camp practice Friday, July 29, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Column: Heady times for the NFL's bottom feeders

By Paul Newberry Jul. 29, 2022 06:02 PM EDT

FILE - Houston Texans' John Metchie III smiles during an NFL football rookie minicamp practice on May 13, 2022, in Houston. The rookie wide receiver announced Sunday, July 24, 2022, that he has been diagnosed with a form of leukemia. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
Metchie addresses Texans in wake of leukemia diagnosis

By Kristie Rieken Jul. 29, 2022 04:26 PM EDT

Houston Texans NFL football first-round draft picks cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., right, and offensive lineman Kenyon Green answer questions during a news conference Friday, April 29, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Rebuilding Texans take Stingley, Green in 1st round

By Kristie Rieken Apr. 30, 2022 09:00 PM EDT

Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave stands with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the New Orleans Saints with the 11th pick of the NFL football draft Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Saints use first-round draft picks to fill offensive needs

By Guerry Smith Apr. 28, 2022 11:18 PM EDT

FILE - Denver Broncos new starting quarterback Russell Wilson, center, is flanked by coach Nathaniel Hackett, right, and general manager George Paton after a news conference March 16, 2022, in Englewood, Colo. Hackett said there's never “too high of a price on anybody that’s great" — especially when it comes to quarterbacks. Denver had been dealing with a revolving door of mediocrity at the most important position ever since Peyton Manning retired seven years ago but now has Wilson in place. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
Record 8 teams head into NFL draft without 1st-round pick

By Josh Dubow Apr. 21, 2022 12:20 PM EDT

Houston Texans head coach Lovie Smith speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, March 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texans have many needs at free agency after 4-win season

By The Associated Press Mar. 10, 2022 12:01 PM EST

FILE - Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. Snead says anybody who thinks his Los Angeles Rams are a championship-or-bust machine is telling “a shallow story.” (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong, File)
Rams' flashy moves grounded in solid plan, says GM Les Snead

By Greg Beacham Feb. 10, 2022 06:55 PM EST

Houston Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks (13) runs past Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Shaquill Griffin (26) for a touchdown after a 22-yard reception during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Watson's issues doomed Houston Texans before season's start

By Kristie Rieken Jan. 10, 2022 07:34 PM EST

An injured Seattle Seahawks free safety Quandre Diggs grimaces as he is attended to by Seahawks training and medical staff during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Seahawks' Diggs carted off field; Saints' Hill hurts foot

By The Associated Press Jan. 09, 2022 08:44 PM EST

Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) looks to throw against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Justin Rex )
Titans clinch AFC's top seed with 28-25 win over Texans

By Kristie Rieken Jan. 09, 2022 04:22 PM EST

Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) throws against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans 1/9/2022

Jan. 09, 2022 01:13 PM EST

Houston Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks (13) catches a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Titans can clinch AFC's top seed, bye with win over Texans

By The Associated Press Jan. 06, 2022 12:03 PM EST

Houston Texans head coach David Culley watches from the sideline during the first half of his team's NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Houston's offense sputters after early lead in loss to 49ers

By Kristie Rieken Jan. 03, 2022 02:56 PM EST

San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Quick whistle helps 49ers beat Texans, close in on playoffs

By Josh Dubow Jan. 02, 2022 09:32 PM EST

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) runs past Houston Texans outside linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill (51) to score a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Lance throws 2 TD passes to lead 49ers past Texans 23-7

By Josh Dubow Jan. 02, 2022 07:09 PM EST

Houston Texans running back Rex Burkhead (28) runs against San Francisco 49ers middle linebacker Fred Warner, left, defensive end Nick Bosa (97) and defensive back K'Waun Williams (24) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Houston Texans at San Francisco 49ers 1/2/2022

Jan. 02, 2022 04:39 PM EST

Houston Texans running back Rex Burkhead (28) celebrates after running for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
49ers look to bounce back in home finale vs. Texans

By The Associated Press Dec. 30, 2021 01:24 PM EST

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) tries to break a tackle by Minnesota Vikings cornerback Mackensie Alexander (24) after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
FANTASY PLAYS: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 17

By Brandon Gdula Dec. 30, 2021 12:19 PM EST

New Orleans Saints' Cameron Jordan (94) celebrates with P.J. Williams (26) after sacking Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 27, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)
Slater, David 4th-time nominees for NFL sportsmanship award

Dec. 30, 2021 10:54 AM EST

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh works the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Saleh rejoins Jets after clearing COVID-19 protocols

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Dec. 29, 2021 12:02 PM EST