Texans Release Carr

The Houston Texans released quarterback David Carr on Friday, which should start the speculation engines in Minnesota.

First, the speculation in Minnesota was that the Vikings might be interested in trading for Houston Texans quarterback David Carr. Friday, the Texans made him former Texans quarterback David Carr, releasing the first overall draft pick in 2002.

Carr became expendable when the Texans acquired Atlanta Falcons backup quarterback Matt Schaub in a trade earlier this week, and on Thursday Texans general manager Rick Smith said the team would work to move Carr as soon as possible.

“We are working with his representatives and with David to find a place for David to continue his NFL career,” Smith said during the course of a press conference to introduce Schaub. “Matt is our starting quarterback and we’re trying to help David find another place.

“We’re trying to trade him in the next couple of days. We feel good about the prospects. David is obviously a talented football player and has value, and I think that value is recognized over the league. So I don’t think we’ll have a problem with that and I think he will be excited about a new opportunity, and we’re hopeful that he will continue have an NFL career and be successful.”

One day later, Carr has been released.

Carr departs as the team’s all-time leading passer with 13,391 yards and 59 touchdowns in five seasons. He led the Texans to a 22-53 record in games he started under center.

It remains to be seen if the Vikings’ intentions with Carr change now that they wouldn’t have to relinquish any draft picks to obtain him, but head coach Brad Childress has said repeatedly that he is satisfied with second-year pro Tarvaris Jackson and veteran Brooks Bollinger competing for the starting job in training camp.

Childress was also critical of Carr’s release point in his throwing motion in a radio interview Thursday with KFAN.