Texans receiver Andre Johnson isn’t used to missing practices, even if they are voluntary.
“I didn’t feel right being at home,” Johnson said on Thursday after returning to the team. “I never miss OTAs. I’ve always been here, so I came in. I’m man enough to say that it was [out of character]. I’m disappointed about it. I talked to everybody upstairs. There are no grudges and I don’t have any grudges toward them. We’re just going to move on.”
Johnson understands he doesn’t have a lot of leverage with five years left on his contract. He even sought out Texans owner Bob McNair to explain things and say he loved being a Texan.
“You can’t win against the organization,” Johnson said. “When you’re under contract, they can hold you to it. It’s up to them to re-do it, give you an extension or whatever. They really don’t have to do anything. But I’m past all that now.”
It sounds like G.M. Rick Smith will meet with Johnson’s agent, but it’s unclear if the receiver has any chance for a pay increase. Either way, he’s not going anywhere.
“I plan on being a Texan until the day I retire,” Johnson said.