Texans RT Rashad Butler is still recovering from September surgery to repair his left elbow and triceps.

"I've been rehabbing hard, but I can't tell you it's 100 percent yet," he said. "It's a lot like an Achilles (tear)." Butler should be ready by training camp, where he is expected to be installed as Eric Winston's replacement at right tackle.


(rotoworld.com)

Center Chris Myers re-signed on Saturday morning, but the Texans will have two new starting offensive linemen in 2012. Right guard Mike Brisiel signed with the Oakland Raiders on Friday, and right tackle Eric Winston was released on Tuesday.

Waiting to step in are Antoine Caldwell at right guard and Rashad Butler at right tackle. Caldwell, a third-round draft pick in 2009, has started 13 games at right guard in three seasons. Butler, who has been with the Texans since 2007, started four games for suspended left tackle Duane Brown in 2010.

“I think they’ve both played tremendous when they get in, and I think that they’re ready for the challenge,” Myers said on Saturday. “I’m anxious to see how it’s going to pan out. I’ve got the utmost faith and confidence in ‘em.”

Myers thinks Caldwell and Butler could make a smooth transition into the starting lineup, although, as  he pointed out, “you’ll never know until it gets down into the season time, when they’re playing week in and week out.” How quickly they establish chemistry with the rest of the line will be critical — Brisiel started 47 games with the Texans, Winston 87.

“Obviously, they’ve got big shoes to fill, and I think Antoine and Rashad know that,” Myers said. “They have plenty of playing experience, so it’s going to be something they’re un-familiar to. They’re very familiar with the system and they’re very familiar with the offense and the guys around them. So it’s going to be kind of an easy stepping-stone.

“I don’t think it’s [like] a situation when we have someone brand new coming in here. It’s going to be a lot easier for them to get the transition going to be the starters week in and week out than it would be to have a free agent coming in here or a rookie coming in here and learning everything.”


(houstontexans.com)

The fact that former Texans OLB Mario Williams departed in free agency to become the highest-paid defensive player in the league was hardly a surprise to most league observers. The release of ORT Eric Winston by the club in a cap-savings move, however, qualified as a "stunner," according to one source close to the situation. Word is the release of Winston came down to the Texans valuing unrestricted free-agent C Chris Myers, whom they made a very generous offer and hope to re-sign, more than their former right tackle. Although Myers is three years older than Winston, the source said the Texans believe OT Rashad Butler, a six-year veteran who will step into Winston's spot in the starting lineup, is less of a drop-off from Winston than ORG Mike Brisiel, also an unrestricted free agent who could move on, would be in replacing Myers. Butler spent last season on injured reserve with a torn triceps, but played well enough in four starts in 2010 in place of OLT Duane Brown, who was suspended, to warrant the move.  


(profootballweekly.com)

HOUSTON, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- Houston Texans reserve tackle Rashad Butler says he's sorry for using a homophobic slur Thursday night on Twitter.
The Houston Chronicle said Butler was watching a basketball game between the Miami Heat and the New York Knicks. He tweeted a comment about Kobe Bryant, referring to the Lakers' star as No. 8 and was quickly corrected by Twitter critics because Bryant has changed to No. 24. The tweet, a response to a friendly discussion with Lakers fans about Kobe Bryant, contained a gay slur that some followers found offensive.

Butler shot back with what is considered a gay slur. "Like I said, Y'all (expletive) knew wat I meant," he tweeted. The newspaper speculated that Butler intended to call his critics "jerks."

Butler quickly deleted the tweet and eventually issued an apology, "I Apologize ONCE AGAIN for the tweet I sent earlier. Didn't mean to offend anybody." He later tweeted, "ppl getting killed everyday but ppl want to worry about a word I used to get some ignorant .. ppl on twitter off my back."

Human Rights Campaign said Butler and other athletes, including the American Hockey League's Justin Fontaine who got in trouble for a Twitter slur earlier this month, "don't seem to grasp the idea that spreading this hateful message can perpetuate hate and discrimination toward the LGBT community."


(upi.com)

After a promising 2010 that saw him make four starts, OT Rashad Butler's season came to an end after just two weeks due to an elbow injury. Butler's injury opened the door for rookie Derek Newton to become a contributor. Butler's return will only add depth to the position going into training camp.


(cbssports.com)

The Texans' offensive line has suffered a serious blow because veteran tackle Rashad Butler, the backup on both sides, is out for the season.

The 28-year-old,Miami-Florida product appeared in all 16 games in 2009 and 2010 with four total stars. He had also played in both games this season.

Butler was placed on injured reserve after suffering ruptured triceps in practice on Wednesday. Offensive tackle Andrew Gardner was elevated from the practice squad. Center/guard Cody Wallace was signed to the practice squad.


(chron.com)

The Texans have agreed to new contracts with receiver Jacoby Jones and offensive tackle Rashad Butler, two of their four key free agents.

Butler agreed to a two-year deal worth $3.8 million, with a $1.25 million signing bonus.

Butler, who was an unrestricted free agent, made $1.176 million in 2010, when he served as the backup to left tackle Duane Brown and right tackle Eric Winston. Butler started four games when Brown was suspended for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.

With the NFL lockout having ended Monday, Tuesday marked the first day teams could negotiate with their free agents and those from other teams. No free-agent signings can take place until Friday. Thus, Jones and Butler can't sign until then.


(chron.com)

The biggest priority for the Atlanta Falcons will be signing their own offensive linemen. But if the Texans' Rashad Butler and Pittsburgh's Trai Essex become available as unrestricted free agents, they fit the Falcons' style. Butler is a versatile tackle who could fit in at guard. Essex is a big, power lineman that can play both sides of the center, too.


(cnnsi.com)

Texans OT Rashad Butler, an unrestricted free agent who played well when starter Duane Brown served his four-game suspension for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs last season, could prove difficult to replace if he receives a more attractive offer elsewhere. Pro Football Weekly hears the club would have to bring in a veteran to fill the void left by the departure of the dependable Butler.


(gridironfans.com)

Welcome to our 1st annual and long overdue proCane Rankings where we look back at the 2010 NFL season and rank the 43 proCanes that took snaps in 2010 (except for Sinorice Moss who was placed on IR before the start of the season).

Stay tuned as we countdown from number 43 to number 1. Our rankings are based on each player’s performance last year. In August we’ll go ahead and re-rank the player’s based on our 2011 expectations. For now read our review of each player’s 2010 season and where they rank overall. Enjoy!

To read our rankings of players 43-35, click here.

34. Tavares Gooden LB Baltimore Ravens: The knock on Gooden since his college days has been his inability to stay healthy and 2010 unfortunately was no exception as Gooden played in 10 games, he did not start any and only tallied 18 total tackles last season. He was used by the Ravens on obvious passing situations because of his speed and coverage skills, but missed six games due to injury and was not able to secure a starting spot. At one point the Ravens saw Gooden as Ray Lewis’ successor but his inability to stay healthy has put that in doubt. It would be great to see him be able to play an entire season, hopefully 2011 will be the year.

33. Kelly Jennings DB Seattle Seahawks: Jennings under new Head Coach Pete Carroll had a solid mini camp which translated to him starting 14 games for the Seahawks and tallying a career high 13 pass deflections. Jennings also had his first interception since his rookie season in 2006, was far more consistent this year and wasn’t pushed around as much by opposing receivers. Jennings will be a free agent, but look for him to draw interest from teams including the Seahawks.

32. Rashad Butler LT Houston Texans: Butler who has been activated for all 16 games the last two years for the Texans started four games this past season and performed quite well at left tackle. Butler as a matter of fact opened the eyes of opposing coaches with his solid play and most probably will be snatched up by a team in need of a starting left tackle this offseason.

31. Phillip Buchanon DB Washington Redskins: In his first year with the Redskins, Buchanon, who played in all 16 games and started 5 had a career high in pass deflections (18) and recorded two interceptions. Overall, Buchanon had a solid year, but was at times inconsistent and found himself in Shanahan and Co.’s doghouse on several occasions. Buchanon didn’t contribute as much as was anticipated on punt returns but is still a threat on special teams as well. With one year under his belt with the Redskins look for Buchanon to have a bigger impact in 2011.

30. Calais Campbell DE Arizona Cardinals: There were high expectations coming into the 2010 season for Campbell as he was expected to record double digit sacks and more than adequately replace free-agent departee Antonio Smith. Unfortunately in 15 games Campbell only recorded six sacks, 1 less than the 2009 season though he did have more total tackles (60). The 2011 season will be an important one for Campbell to prove that he can be an elite pass rusher in the NFL, because most expected him to already be one.

29. Darryl Sharpton LB Houston Texans: Sharpton in his rookie season with the Texans was a surprise contributor on defense as he started 6 of the 12 games he was active for before sustaining an injury which ended his season prematurely. When playing though, Sharpton was solid both on special teams and defense where he accumulated 34 tackles and a sack. Look for Sharpton to work his way up the Texan depth chart and eventually become a full-time starter, if not in 2011 then 2012.

28. Vernon Carey RT Miami Dolphins: Carey battled a knee injury for most of the 2010 season but still started 12 games for the Dolphins before being put on injured reserve. Carey playing with a below average Dolphins offensive line was one of the few bright spots. Carey has been solid throughout his career and talk of him moving to the guard position is unfounded. Carey, though still recovering from his knee injury should be 100% by the start of the season.

27. Roscoe Parrish WR Buffalo Bills: Parrish was having the best season of his six-year career as through eight games he had career-high receiving yards, rushing yards and receiving touchdowns. Parrish was the Bills’ #2 wide receiver after finally being given opportunity to shine on offense while he continued to be a threat on punt returns as well. Unfortunately his season was cut short in week 8 after he sustained a season-ending wrist injury, but look for him to return as a starter to the Bills’ offense despite the emergence of Steve Johnson last season.

26. Frank Gore RB San Francisco 49ers: Gore was on pace to have another stellar season for the 49ers with their new-found dedication to the running game. Through 11 games Gore had 853 yards on the ground and over 450 yard receiving along with five touchdowns before fracturing his hip and being placed on injured reserve. It was the fourth consecutive season that Gore was unable to play in all 16 games, but when Gore is healthy, there are few in the league that are better than him especially with how involved he has become in the passing game as well.

Check back tomorrow to see which proCanes were ranked 25th through 16th!

Texans extended restricted free agent tenders to DE Mark Anderson, RG Mike Brisiel, WR Jacoby Jones, and OT Rashad Butler.
Anderson, Brisiel, and Jones were given "second-round" tags, while Butler received an original pick designation. The first four are four-year vets, and the latter has five accrued years. They're all likely to end up unrestricted. It's worth noting that beat writer John McClain says the Texans are "high" on Anderson, who would play outside linebacker in the new 3-4.



(rotoworld.com)

Rashad Butler celebrated his 28th birthday in Miami this February at The 400 at LUX Nightclub. Check out some photos below!