Andrew

Gardner

It’s the same injury that kept Houston’s swing tackle out of 14 games last season. Butler had recently lost the starting right tackle job to Derek Newton. The Texans will have to count on Andrew Gardner as the swing tackle while keeping an eye on the waiver wire.

Gardner has spent time on the practice squads of the Bengals and Ravens after being drafted by Miami in 2009. He’ll fill the swing tackle role in Houston with Rashad Butler out for the season.

Gardner was not tendered an offer as a restricted free agent earlier in the week, and instead he’ll be back on the four-year veteran minimum, most likely. He appeared in three games for the Texans last season as a swing tackle.

The Eagles needed to trim their roster to 75 ahead of Tuesday’s 4 ET deadline. Gardner started a handful of games before suffering a season-ending foot injury in 2015. Brandon Brooks is Philadelphia’s new starting right guard.

Gardner played for coach Chip Kelly in Philadelphia. He’ll get a two-week tryout in hopes of earning a spot on the offseason roster heading into 2017.

Gardner spent most of 2016 out of the league before making a late season spot start for the 49ers. The Falcons have an opening at guard with Chris Chester retired, but Gardner wouldn’t be more than depth.

Gardner started the final six games of last season at right guard and is expected to get the first crack at the starting job with Allen Barbre moving to left guard to replace Evan Mathis. Also in the mix at right guard are Matt Tobin, Dennis Kelly, and second-year UDFA Kevin Graf. Gardner received positive marks from Pro Football Focus for his run blocking last season. Tobin has the most upside.

A 2009 sixth-rounder, Gardner appeared in three games for the Texans last season. Gardner has made only eight appearances in five years. He’s a camp body.

Gardner was set to play out the final year of his contract at $795,000. He’ll now be kicked some up-front guaranteed money after winning the Eagles’ starting right guard job following the release of long-time RG Todd Herremans.

Gardner injured his foot in the Week 3 win over the Jets and was spotted in a walking boot following the game. Gardner had played well through three weeks after easily beating out Matt Tobin in camp. Tobin will now take over at right guard, making the already suspect Eagles’ offensive line even worse. OL Julian Vandervelde was signed in a corresponding move.