@BobAllenKHOU: Looks like Cierre Wood will be the 3rd Texans running back..I've learned that Deji Karim has been waived

@McClain_on_NFL: Texans cut 14: Chris Jones, Dennis Johnson, Nate Menkin, Keith Browner, Delano Johnson, Jake Byrne, Tyler Clutts, Tyler Horn, Alex Kuppper

@McClain_on_NFL: More Texans cuts: Cameron Collins, Ohrian Johnson, Mike Mohamed, EZ Nwachukwu, Jawanza Starling. They have 7 moves to make Saturday.

@McClain_on_NFL: Of the Texans' last 7 moves, I expect a few to be players placed on IR. I expect rookie OT Brennan Williams (knee) will be one of them.

@PatDStat: THere is one move. RT @JPalmerCSN: #Texans 6th round pick, WR Alan Bonner has been placed on IR.

@PatDStat: Here it comes. RT @DZangaro: Roc Carmichael has beeen waived by the #Texans.

If that happens, I will be stunned. Not that I would necessarily disagree with the move because Wood has shown he's a gifted running-back, but he's a rookie and Kubiak is very old school and shuns rookies for vets. Maybe finally the old dog can learn some new tricks ?

It'll be interesting to see what they do with Sam Montgomery now that Tuggle and Jefferson made the team. I suspect a stubbed-toe IR stash is in his future.

Why? Karim has been cut by numerous teams (plus, he's a dime a dozen on the waiver wire) and it's not like he brings anything to the run game. We have others who can return kicks, but no one that has Wood's apparent talent at RB. Keep in mind, Foster hasn't played at all (has he even practiced?) so his health is questionable at this point. If he can't go or his back gets worse, that only leaves Tate as our big back and he's had his share of injuries in the past as well. Good sensible move, IMO.

I guess they saw some talent there with Bonner. Funny thing is, I can't recall ever seeing him on the field in any of the preseason games. Maybe I just missed him, but he certainly didn't standout at all.

Many players have been cut by numerous teams over the term of their careers and some of them somehow revive their careers and end up having some really successful years in the league if they end up in a particular team with a particular scheme (offense or defense), that suits them. Former Texans' Jason Babin comes to mind as a good example.
I like the move that Kubiak made, but I'm still surprised because he is a very old school coach including his attitude about rookies, especially those rookies who handle the ball like RBs. But I still think Wood's lack of experience on STs made him an even longer shot than perhaps Johnson, another talented rookie back who eliminated himself because of ball security issues. Kubiak is just one of those coachs who often values experience over pure talent, but maybe the old dog is learning some new tricks ?

As I'm sure you know, lots more evaluation done than just the preseason.

But you're right, I don't know if he even played.

Totally agree, and they obviously saw something. Just rare you see a team keep a low draft pick or UDFA that didn't show flashes or even play in preseason. I liked him though after the draft. Thought he had real slot WR and KR/PR potential.

From cbslocal this how got to 53 man roster for now

UPDATE (4:00pm): Final cuts have come in for the Houston Texans ahead of the 5pm deadline. The players released Saturday are:

Keith Browner DE
Jake Byrne TE
Roc Carmichael CB
Tyler Clutts FB
Cameron Collins ILB
Andy Cruse WR
Tyler Horn G/C
Delano Johnson DE
Dennis Johnson RB
Orhian Johnson S
Chris Jones NT
Deji Karim RB
Alex Kupper G/C
Elbert Mack CB
Nate Menkin T
Mike Mohamed ILB
EZ Nwachukwu WR
Jawanza Starling S
David Hunter* NT
Mike Smith* WR
*Waived with an injury settlement

Besides the 18 players released the Texans placed three players on the Reserved/Injured list: Alan Bonner WR, Brennan Williams T, and Trevardo Williams OLB.

With the releases and players placed on IR the Texans are at the required 53 man roster size to start the regular season.**** They can sign 8 players for their practice squad once the players clear waivers.

A little more info from houston texans web site

The Houston Texans have released the following player with an Injury Settlement:

Daniel MuirDL6-2322297Kent State

Notes:

All three remaining quarterbacks made the team. Keenum's record-breaking preseason peformance kept him on the roster.

Four undrafted rookies made the team, including RB Cierre Wood, CB A.J. Bouye, LB Justin Tuggle, and LB Willie Jefferson.

Now this is interesting. The Texans had (A) 9 rookies make the roster, (B) 4 were undrafted, (C) but they had 9 Draft picks.
Of course of the draft picks who didn't make the roster only one was an outright cut while the others apparently have been placed on various forms of IR.
Off hand dunno the number of rookies that have made Texans' rosters in past seasons, but this seems like a lot especially for a talented team like Houstons which I guess means the Texans have a very strong rookie class.

Snagged from another forum:

Appears Zach Boren FB is signed to our practice squad.

With so many of our waived players being claimed by other teams this may take a little while to get all 8 positions filled.

And sounds like Uzoma Nwachukwu WR is on practice squad.

@McClain_on_NFL: Texans PS: CB Roc Carmichael, C Alex Kupper, DE Keith Browner, LB Mike Mohamed, FB Zach Boren, RB Ray Graham, WR Andy Cruse, WR E Nwachukwu

Interesting on Roc. Didn't think he was eligible. Eligibility must be based on game day active not the 53.

Seems like a pretty good 53 man roster and 8 man practice squad to me.

Now wondering if any contract extensions or modifications such as for Brian Cushing will get done soon?

Some potential there in Cruse and Graham, good to see them back. Rick Smith must see something in Roc I just don't.

Lost David Quessenberry to a broken foot. :(

Signed Menkin to the PS.