Houston, TX (My Sportsbook) -
Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak conceded Friday that the team had cut longtime kicker Kris Brown.
Kubiak did not want to discuss the whole of the team's cuts at Friday's press conference, saying they would be officially announced Saturday when all NFL teams are required to set their rosters at 53 players for the season.
He did, however, feel the need to address the situation of Brown, who was the last player remaining from the original Texans team that began play in 2002. Kubiak called the decision "miserable" in acknowledging Brown had been with the team longer than he had.
The 2009 season was not one to remember for Brown, who had a number of devastating missed field goals in late-game situations as the club ended the season at 9-7 and just out of a playoff spot.
In all, Brown hit just 21-of-32 field goals last year, a career-low 65.6 percent accuracy rate for the 33-year-old veteran.
Kubiak also pointed to Neil Rackers' ability on kickoffs as a reason why he beat out Brown for the starting job.
Kubiak also indicated seventh-year cornerback Jacques Reeves had been released. Reeves played in 12 games, starting five, for Houston last season and recorded 31 tackles, one interception and seven passes defensed.
Also Friday, the Houston Chronicle is reporting the Texans signed running back Derrick Ward, who was cut by Tampa Bay on Tuesday. Kubiak acknowledged that the team worked out both Ward and former Raiders back Justin Fargas.
Ward managed just 409 yards and one score in 14 games last season for the Bucs after a breakout 2008 season with the Giants, in which he topped 1,000 yards while averaging 5.6 yards per attempt.