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HOUSTON** – The Houston Texans re-signed unrestricted free agents P Shane Lechler and K Nick Novak. Terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
Since joining the Texans in 2013, Lechler has totaled 338 punts for 15,956 yards (47.2 avg., 39.3 net), pinning 115 punts inside the 20-yard line. He holds franchise records for punting average in a career (47.2), single season (47.6 in 2013 and 47.5 in 2016) and single game (58.9 on 11/10/13 and 54.5 on 10/9/14). In addition, his 40.1 net average in 2016 was the second-highest mark in team history.
Lechler is a 17-year NFL veteran having spent the first 13 years of his career with the Oakland Raiders after being selected in the fifth round (142nd overall) of the 2000 NFL Draft. He is a six-time Associated Press All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl selection. In 270 career games played, Lechler ranks first in NFL history in career punting average (47.5), second in punting yards (64,171), third in punts inside the 20 (437) and third in punts (1,352).
Last season for the Texans, Novak made a career-high 35 field goals, which set a single-season franchise record and tied for the second-most in the NFL in 2016. He also added 22 extra points for a total of 127 points scored, which gave him his fourth 100-point season and second-highest seasonal total of his career. From Week 10 to Week 16, Novak made 16 straight field goal attempts, which tied for the second-longest streak in Texans history.
Novak has spent the last two seasons with the Texans and in 29 games, made 53-of-62 (85.5%) field goals and 51-of-56 (91.1%) PATs for 210 total points scored. He has also handled kickoff duties and recorded 46 touchbacks since 2015. Novak has played in 111 career games over nine NFL seasons with the Washington Redskins (2005-06), Arizona Cardinals (2005), Kansas City Chiefs (2008) and San Diego Chargers (2011-14). For his career, Novak has converted 173-of-209 (82.8%) field goals and 239-of-245 (97.6%) PATs for 758 points scored
The Houston Texans roster in photos. (Updated 2/24/2021)
ILB, Tyrell Adams #50
TE, Jordan Akins, 88
DT, Auzoyah Alufohai, #98
P, Bryan Anger, 9
CB, Cornell Armstrong, 30
C/G, Beau Benzschawel #62
DT, Ross Blacklock #90
ILB, Curtis Bolton #47
DT, Andrew Brown, #97
TE Pharaoh Brown #85
C, Cohl Cabral #72
WR, Randall Cobb #18
ILB, Dylan Cole, 51
CB, Gareon Conley, 22
WR, Brandin Cooks #13
WR, Isaiah Coulter #82
WR, Keke Coutee, 16
CB, Keion Crossen, 35
ILB, Zach Cunningham, 41
DE, Brandon Dunn, 92
OLB, Duke Ejiofor, 53
ILB, Kyle Emanuel, 56
K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, 7
TE, Darren Fells, 87
CB, Mark Fields II #39
G, Hjalte Froholdt #77
OL, Zach Fulton, 73
CB, Phillip Gaines #29
FB, Cullen Gillaspia, 44
OLB, Jonathan Greenard #52
ILB, Nate Hall, 48
NT, P.J. Hall #96
WR, Chad Hansen, #17
CB, Vernon Hargreaves III #26
T, Charlie Heck #67
RB, Dontrell Hilliard, #22
OL, Tytus Howard, 71
RB, Buddy Howell, 38
RB, David Johnson #31
RB, Duke Johnson, 25
CB, Lonnie Johnson, Jr., 32
T, Roderick Johnson #63
LS, Anthony Kukwa #45
LB, Jacob Martin, 54
C, Nick Martin, 66
QB, AJ McCarron #2
QB, Josh McCown, 3
LB, Benardrick McKinney, 55
OLB, Whitney Mercilus, 59
WR, Steven Mitchell, Jr., 11
S, A.J. Moore, 33
S Eric Murray #23
DE, Charles Omenihu, 94
S, Jonathan Owens, 36
RB, Scottie Phillips, #40
G/T Brent Qvale #76
WR, Damion Ratley, #19
CB, John Reid #34
S, Justin Reid, 20
OLB, Brennan Scarlett, 57
OL, Max Scharping, 74
S, Michael Thomas #28
TE, Kahale Warring, 81
DL, Carlos Watkins, 91
QB, Deshaun Watson, 4
LS, Jon Weeks #46
