Demaryius Thomas has been released by Houston after seven games for the Texans following a mid-season trade from Denver.
The veteran wide receiver scored two touchdowns amid 23 receptions for 275 yards for Houston before a torn Achilles tendon ended his season in December.
The Texans traded for Thomas in October following injury to fellow wide-out Will Fuller and the 31-year-old had spoken in January about his desire to remain with the franchise.
Thomas was due to pick up a base salary of $12 million for 2019, the last year of the contract he signed with the Broncos, but ahead of the new league year, which begins on March 13, he has been cut and will now count $3.5 million against the Texans' salary cap in dead money.
The extent of Thomas' torn Achilles means he is likely to be out of action until August when training camps will be underway and the five-time All-Pro will hope his pedigree lands him a chance to impress.
Thomas won Super Bowl 50 with the Broncos and across his nine pro seasons he has 688 catches for 9,330 yards and 62 touchdowns.
Stick with us through the off-season as Free Agency begins and we count down to the Draft which will be live on Sky Sports, April 25-27