Texans waive offensive tackle Eric Winston

After starting 87 consecutive games and helping the Texans win the AFC South for the first time, right tackle Eric Winston became a shocking victim of the salary cap on Monday.

Winston was surprised when coach Gary Kubiak and general manager Rick Smith called him in, gave him the bad news and explained their reasoning.

“Basically, they told me they were up against it (the salary cap) and didn’t want to insult me by asking me to take a pay cut,” he said. “They said they hated to do it and maybe we could work something out down the road, but, well, I’m just stunned. I didn’t want to leave. This just sucks.”

Winston, who returned this weekend from a USO trip to Afghanistan with other players from around the NFL, is regarded as one of the best in the league at his position. It could turn into a bittersweet situation because productive offensive tackles are going to be scarce in free agency.

“It’s kind of exciting, too, not knowing what’s going to be out there,” he said. “I know there’s not going to be a lot of right tackles out there, so it’s going to be exciting to see how it shakes out.

“Unless somebody blows my socks off (with an offer), I won’t be in a rush to sign. I definitely want to be in a good situation like we had here.”
Winston, a third-round pick in 2006, leaves a hole in the starting lineup.

The only remaining tackles on the team besides starter Duane Brown on the left side are Rashad Butler and Derek Newton. Butler spent last season on injured reserve. Newton was a seventh-round pick last year. He played on special teams and in short-yardage situations.

“It’s frustrating in a sense because we went through so much to get to where we finished the season,” Winston said. “I wanted to be a part of what’s ahead.

“I still think the Texans are going to be great. They don’t need me to be great. I think they’re going to have a big-time team next season, and I’m sorry I’m not going to be part of it.

“But one door closes, and it’s a little exciting to see what door opens.”


(chron.com)