Associated Press
The NFL notebook …
HOUSTON ó The Houston Texans have signed quarterback Rex Grossman.
Grossman, an unrestricted free agent, led the Chicago Bears to the NFC championship in 2006, when he threw for 3,193 yards and 23 touchdowns.
The 28-year-old will compete with Alex Brink to be Houston’s third quarterback behind starter Matt Schaub and Dan Orlovsky, who spent last season in Detroit.
REDSKINSASHBURN, Va.ó Veteran receiver James Thrash was released by the Washington Redskins on Friday after failing a physical.
Thrash has been unable to practice during the offseason because of a neck injury that has him contemplating retirement.
Thrash is one of the best long-shot stories in NFL training camp history. The undrafted free agent from Missouri Southern was the bottom receiver on the depth chart when the Redskins opened camp in 1997, but he forced his way onto the roster by returning kickoffs for touchdowns in each of the first two preseason games.
He has since stuck around for 12 NFL seasons.
BURRESS UPDATE
NEW YORK ó Former New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress will have to wait a while longer before he knows the legal consequences of accidentally shooting himself with an unlicensed pistol.
Defense lawyer Benjamin Brafman said Burress will appear in court Monday for a brief hearing.
Burress shot himself in the thigh on Nov. 29 in a Manhattan nightclub. He was charged with criminal possession of a weapon and faces up to 31/2 years in prison. Burress has pleaded not guilty and is free on $100,000 bail.
FAVRE REPORT
MINNEAPOLIS ó ESPN is reporting that the Minnesota Vikings are planning to send a trainer and a coach to Mississippi to work with Brett Favre.
The purpose of the trip is to assess the quarterback’s progress since he had arthroscopic surgery two weeks ago to repair a partially torn biceps tendon in his right arm.
COWBOYS
DALLAS ó The Dallas Cowboys knew when they hired Summit Structures LLC to build their now-ruined practice facility that a similar fabric structure built by the company for the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority had collapsed in a storm, according to a port official.
RETIREDKANSAS CITY, Mo.ó Former Pro Bowl quarterback Trent Green has decided to retire after 15 seasons and plans to pursue a career in broadcasting.