The Houston Texans are releasing veteran wide receiver Kenny Stills in a mutual parting, sources told ESPN on Friday.
Stills immediately becomes an attractive option for a number of contending teams looking for proven speed at receiver.
Stills, who was in the final year of his contract, will hit waivers first. Teams will have an opportunity to claim him for the prorated portion of his $6.975 million salary. If he clears waivers, he’ll get his choice of teams to sign with for the rest of the season.
Stills’ role diminished some this season as younger players took a larger role, but he may be able to provide a bigger impact for teams in playoff hunt. Stills had a career-low 11 catches and 144 receiving yards on two touchdowns this season, and he played a season-low four offensive snaps vs. the Patriots last Sunday.
The Texans considered trading Stills at the deadline, but it didn’t materialize. As the Texans continued their plans to go young at receiver, it became clear a fresh start would be best for both sides.
Stills, 28, was acquired along with left tackle Laremy Tunsil from the Miami Dolphins in a blockbuster deal in August 2019 that netted the Dolphins 2020 first- and second-round picks and 2021 first- and second-round picks.