[SBR Lou]

Center Steve McKinney, an original Texan who was the first unrestricted free agent signed by the 2002 expansion team, was released today by the Texans.

McKinney, 32, has been rehabilitating a knee injury that required reconstructive surgery and cost him half of last season.

When the Texans traded for Denver's Chris Myers last week, McKinney became expendable.

However, the door is open for McKinney to return when he's healthy.

McKinney is expected back for the start of the training camp.

"It caught me off guard, but they left the door open for me to return," McKinney said. "I owe it to myself to test the market, but, truthfully, I'd like to come back here."

"They told me that I just make too much money ($1.6 million this year) to be a backup," McKinney said. "They told me they didn't want to ask me to take a pay cut, and they wanted to give me an opportunity to look around to see if I could get the same kind of money somewhere else."

"Right now, I'm letting it all soak in, and I'm trying to digest everything. I'm going to see what's out there, but, hopefully, I'll have a chance to come back."

Source

[Saunders FTW]

He should be happy