The Texans celebrated the first playoff berth in franchise history by cutting ties with wide receiver Derrick Mason.
John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reports that Mason was placed on waivers Monday, two months after they acquired him in a trade with the New York Jets. Mason had six catches for 55 yards in seven games with the Texans, which means the team will not owe the Jets anything in compensation. The conditions of the deal held that Mason needed 33 or more catches for the Jets to receive a seventh-round pick.
You have to wonder if this is the end of the road for Mason after a very good 15-year NFL career. He didn’t produce with the Jets, complained publicly about his role in the offense and then was equally unsuccessful during his time with the Texans.
He turns 38 in January and seems unlikely to get more than a look at training camp based off of this year’s production. He’s only going to help a team if he’s playing a big role in the offense and those days might well be done.
McClain also reports that the team is expected to elevate rookie receiver Jeff Maehl from the practice squad to take Mason’s place on the roster. Maehl, who went undrafted, had 77 catches for Oregon as a senior in 2010.