The Texans announced yesterday that they released TE Bennie Joppru from the active roster. Joppru (6-4, 240) was drafted by the Texans in
the second round (41st overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft.
Since being drafted in 2003, Joppru has been plagued with
injuries that prevented him from seeing the playing field. During his years in
Houston Joppru only played in one regular season game and made no receptions.
Head Coach Gary Kubiak commented yesterday, saying “We’re
in a situation where if you’re going to suit up four tight ends on your football
team for game day, those have to be special teams players. Right now we’re
suiting three and really only one of them is playing on special teams. In this
league when you can only suit up 45 guys you better have some balance and we’re
looking for more balance from a few players throughout our game day 45.”
“To put Ben back there as a fullback with his height and
stuff I think that’s probably reaching as a coach. We were asking him to do some
of that stuff just because of our roster situation. But when this young man
became available we wanted to take a look at him. Ben’s got a future, Ben’s a
tight end, he’s an H-back, he’s got great hands, he’s done a good job for us,
it’s nothing against Ben and I hope he’s back here.”
There is the possibility that Joppru could be signed back
to the Texans organization by joining the practice squad.
To fill the vacant spot left by Joppru, the Texans have
signed fullback Vonta Leach. Leach (6-0, 250) graduated from East Carolina and
has 3 years NFL experience.
“I’m hoping to bring to the team more of a power fullback,”
Leach said before practice yesterday. “I'm a fullback that can get in there and
move guys out and stuff like that. I’m a head buster, a head banger, so that’s
what I do.”