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USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Texans GM Nick Caserio downplays C.J. Stroud's shoulder injury, stating team was 'careful'
Texans GM Nick Caserio downplays C.J. Stroud's shoulder injury, stating team was 'careful' Everyone has a thought on Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud's shoulder issue that kept him out through the first six days of voluntary OTA workouts, including general manager Nick Caserio. The difference between the GM and the folks on ESPN is that one is looking for offseason content. The other knows it's nothing more than a bunch of mumbo jumbo. "Honestly, it was much ado about nothing," Caserio said in a Thursday morning appearance on SportsRadio 610's Payne & Pendergast. "In the spring, we're just trying to make good, smart manage the player as we see fit. In the end, the focus is on getting him ready for training camp. He had a good attitude when he was in the building. He obviously trained and worked on his body and his overall strength development which that's what the offseason program is usually for." Stroud, who enters a crucial Year 3 as the face of the franchise, threw the final two days of Texans' minicamp at a limited capacity. Speaking after Tuesday's workout, the Pro Bowl quarterback said he spent the offseason aiming to lose body fat, gain muscle and get faster and stronger. "I was already throwing before you guys got to see me out there, pretty normally, I think y'all don't have much to talk about so everything is blown up," Stroud said after practice. The Texans were simply being cautious with Stroud's role this offseason after being sacked 52 times during the 2024 season. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans and new offensive coordinator downplayed the injury, stating he'd be good to go for the start of the regular season. "It's important for me to just make sure we're protecting him," Ryans said. "To make sure we know what's best for C.J. and not really worry about the outside opinions. Nobody knows the information about our players more than me." Caserio offered a similar sentiment surrounding the status of his franchise signal-caller, stating that while he might be limited in reps, that doesn't mean he's slacking on work around the building in other areas. "Going back to February through March even before the offseason program we had a number of players who were here. Early on, in February or March, it might be a combination of in the building, out of the building but you know they are getting in work. C.J., when he does leave Houston, he goes off to California where he has some resources and some people he utilizes out there at UCLA where he can actually get his work in," Caserio said. The Texans open the regular season on the road at SoFi Stadium against the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 7.
USA Today
24-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 Texans offseason roster profile: WR Stefon Diggs
The Houston Texans are officially in offseason mode and we are still weeks away from free agency and the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Over the next few weeks, Texans Wire will break down each player on the roster who saw action in the 2024 season and their potential moving forward. We will recap their 2024 season, their contract status, and what their status is for the coming offseason and 2025 season. Let's continue to break down the wide receiver room by talking about perhaps the most polarizing offseason name in Stefon Diggs. 2024 Stefon Diggs Season When brought in from Buffalo, some envisioned Diggs to take over as the new No. 1, especially given that he had four years left on his current $104 million extension signed with the Bills earlier in his tenure. All that changed when Houston voided the final three years of his contract in exchange for a one-year, $22 million restructured contract. As the Texans' No. 2, Diggs remained a steady chain-mover on offense while helping Houston start the season 4-1. When Nico Collins suffered a hamstring injury that landed him on the injured reserve, the four-time Pro Bolwer became a fixture as the new leading man for C.J. Stroud's passing attack. Over the next two games, Diggs averaged six catches for 72 yards and found the end zone once. He was well on his way to another 100-catch season, but a non-contact knee injury against the Indianapolis Colts led to an unsettling ending. Diggs' torn ACL limited him to just eight games. He would undergo surgery and recently has begun workouts with a brace on. The two-time All-Pro is expected to play in 2025, though his exact return date remains a mystery. 2024 Stefon Diggs stats Despite being limited to eight games, Diggs managed to put together a quality season. He caught 47 passes for 496 yards and scored four total touchdowns, including an 11-yard touchdown run in Week 4's victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. 2025 contract status With the current restructure, Diggs is an unrestricted free agent. Houston can sign him to a new deal ahead of the legal tampering period since he's an internal free agent, though other teams could float around the idea of offering him a long-term deal for more money. Diggs' health will play a role in the Texans' contract negotiations. Outlook for 2025 Initially, Houston was expected to be a one-year home for the two-time All-Pro. Of course, that was before the torn ACL and Tank Dell's season-ending knee injury. Both sides could want a reunion, especially given Houston's need for a stable No. 2 target in the passing game. Texans general manager Nick Caserio also isn't ruling out a reunion on a new contract. During his Wednesday appearance with SportsRadio 610's 'Payne & Pendergast,' Caserio said he'd be 'absolutely open' to bringing back Diggs before the new calendar year begins. 'We have good relationships with Stef and his representation,' Caserio said. 'We enjoyed having Stef in the building. So, the door is always open. A number of players have expressed sentiments and interest in potentially returning to our team next season. We never rule anything out, so we're going to be open-minded.'
USA Today
19-02-2025
- Business
- USA Today
NFL's salary cap expected to increase again in 2025
With the new league year set to begin on March 12, the NFL is closing in on its salary cap for the 2025 season. According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, the NFL informed teams Wednesday morning that the 2025 salary cap will be in the range of $277.5 million to $281.5 million. That's a minimum $22 million and a maximum $26 million increase from the 2024 season, which was $255.4 million. In conclusion, the salary cap has increased by more than $53 million over the last two years. The NFL today informed teams that the 2025 per-team salary cap will fall in the range of $277.5 million to $281.5 million, way up from last year's $255.4 million. Cap will have increased by more than $53 million over the last two years. — Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) February 19, 2025 According to TexansCap, the Houston Texans updated cap space is set for $7.08 million entering free agency. That number should increase after contract restructures and roster cuts to free up more space. Houston plans on making several moves this offseason, including potentially extending All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. The former No. 3 overall pick posted record-setting numbers in 2024, including a career-high 18 pass breakups and five interceptions. Stingley mentioned he wanted to play for the Texans for the rest of his career and Houston has no intentions of letting him walk. The Texans could pick up his fifth-year option while working out the basics of his contract entering training camp. *Updated Projection for the Houston Texans salary cap space. Using the low end of the reported salary cap projection. — TexansCap (@TexansCap) February 19, 2025 The Texans could also bring back All-Pro wide receiver Stefon Diggs on a new one-year contract. Initially thought to be a one-year rental, Diggs was limited to eight games because of a torn ACL. General manager Nick Caserio said on his Wednesday appearance with SportsRadio 610's 'Payne & Pendergast,' that he'd be 'absolutely open' to bringing back Diggs before the new calendar year begins. 'We have good relationships with Stef and his representation,' Caserio said. 'We enjoyed having Stef in the building. So, the door is always open. A number of players have expressed sentiments and interest in potentially returning to our team next season. We never rule anything out, so we're going to be open-minded.' Players who could be roster cuts include offensive lineman Shaq Mason, offensive tackle Tytus Howard, defensive lineman Dencio Autry, and tight end Dalton Schultz, though the latter likely won't happen due to the dead cap hit against his three-year contract.
USA Today
19-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Texans 'absolutely open' to bring back Pro Bowl WR Stefon Diggs in free agency
While 25 players are set to hit free agency this offseason, the Houston Texans have one name listed above the rest. Two-time All-Pro Stefon Diggs was en route to another 100-catch season before a torn ACL limited him to eight games. His departure left a hole in the passing attack and factored into regression from C.J. Stroud ahead of a 10-7 regular-season finish. Diggs, whom the Texans traded for from Buffalo last offseason, built a strong rapport with Stroud and the locker room in his lone season. Players would love for the four-time Pro Bowl receiver to return in 2025 on a new deal as the No. 2 receiver opposite Nico Collins. General manager Nick Caserio also isn't ruling out a reunion on a new contract. During his Wednesday appearance with SportsRadio 610's 'Payne & Pendergast,' Caserio said he'd be 'absolutely open' to bringing back Diggs before the new calendar year begins. 'We have good relationships with Stef and his representation,' Caserio said. 'We enjoyed having Stef in the building. So, the door is always open. A number of players have expressed sentiments and interest in potentially returning to our team next season. We never rule anything out, so we're going to be open-minded.' Nick Caserio on Stefon Diggs on @SportsRadio610 'Had a good relationship with Stef & his representation. We enjoyed having Stef in the building. The door is always open… we never rule anything out.' — Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) February 19, 2025 Diggs, who caught 47 passes for 496 yards and three touchdowns, should be considered one of the top pass-catchers on the market despite the season-ending injury. Houston figured that Diggs would only be with the franchise for one year after converting his three-year extension signed with the Bills into a one-year, $22.5 million deal following the trade. Of course, things have changed. Second-year receiver Tank Dell suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 16 and is expected to miss the majority of the 2025 season. Outside of Collins, there isn't stability for the second receiver spot. Negotiations with free agents can start on March 10, though no deal can be signed until the league year officially begins on March 12. Earlier this offseason, Stroud said he and Diggs were 'just finding their groove' when he suffered the torn ACL in mid-October. 'I would love to have Stef back,' the third-year quarterback said following the divisional-round loss to Kansas City. 'He's somebody that I would love to do this whole thing back with.' Nick Caserio said 'The door is always open' on the potential return of pending FA WR Stefon Diggs just now on @SethCPayne and @SeanTPendergast — Patrick (@PatTalksTexans) February 19, 2025 When asked about a timeline, Caserio joked that a deal could be done leading up to the combine next week in Indianapolis. 'Things will probably pick up here over the next few weeks and obviously when you have, we'll call it the legal tampering period, which will be preceded by the illegal tampering period which will take place at the Combine, we'll probably have a pretty good idea of kind of where everybody is going to situate and what the market looks like,' Caserio said.
