Houston Texans running backs Arian Foster and Ben Tate were among the many casualties across the National Football League on an injury-ridden Sunday. As a result, there was speculation that former Notre Dame running back Cierre Wood could be in for an increased role when the team returned from its Week 8 bye. That will not be happening, as Wood and two other Texans players — defensive end Sam Montgomery and linebacker Willie Jefferson — have been cut for violating team rules.
All three rookies were declared inactive before Houston’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. According to the Houston Chronicle’s John McClain, the team gave no explanation for releasing the three players but a source claims they violated unspecified team rules at their hotel on Saturday.
Jefferson had shown potential as a pass rusher after being signed as an undrafted free agent. He played at Stephen F. Austin last year after he was kicked out of Baylor for failing multiple drug tests for marijuana. Montgomery was a third-round pick out of LSU who was a disappointing inactive for every game this season.
You could make the argument that Wood is the team’s most significant loss. The undrafted rookie easily won the No. 3 job at running back during the preseason when he rushed for 132 yards on 25 carries and added 35 yards on four receptions. The Texans are now dangerously thin at running back, unless both Foster and Tate can heal quickly during their two weeks off.
H/T Rotoworld
