Houston
Texans

News: Mercilus is expected to be part of the pass-rushing rotation at outside linebacker, the Houston Chronicle reports.
Impact: Mercilus joins Connor Barwin and Brooks Reed on the edge, adding to what was one of the better pass-rush defenses in the NFL in 2011.

News: The Texans are asking Brooks to drop 15 or so pounds, the Houston Chronicle reports.
Impact: The 6-5, 350-pound lineman selected in the third round of the draft is a large man, perhaps too large for Houston's zone-blocking scheme, which requires some mobility. Brooks will compete with Antoine Caldwell at the vacant right guard spot during training camp.

News: Caldwell has been working out with the starting unit at right guard during the first two days of organized team activities, the Texans' official site reports.
Impact: The right side of the Texans' offensive line is open to competition this summer. Rashad Butler and Caldwell get first crack at tackle and guard, respectively, but neither will be handed the job. Caldwell will face competition from rookie guard Brandon Brooks, while Butler will be pushed by Derek Newton.

News: Butler has been working out with the starting unit as Houston's right tackle during the first two days of organized team activities, the Texans' official site reports.
Impact: The Texans are looking to replace Eric Winston, who had started every game at right tackle for the past four seasons. Butler enters the offseason has the starter, but Derek Newton will be given a shot to take the job.

News: Sharpton (quadriceps) has been limited to rehabilitation work so far during the first two days of organized team activities, the Texans' official site reports.
Impact: Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said Sharpton is not expected to participate in practices until training camp. Once healthy, Sharpton is expected to compete for a starting job at inside linebacker.

News: Johnson, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee earlier this month, expects to be sidelined for 3-4 weeks, the Associated Press reports.
Impact: Johnson's ability to participate in the Texans' current OTAs will obviously be limited by his knee issue. On the plus side, Johnson is in line to be good to go in time for the start of training camp in August, barring a setback.

News: Johnson says he'll be sidelined for three to four weeks of offseason activities after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. Johnson says the knee injury won't delay his preparations for training camp in August.
Impact: The five-time Pro Bowl selection was inactive for nine regular-season games last year with injuries to both hamstrings. He says he hyperextended the knee against Jacksonville on Nov. 27, his first game back after he missed the previous six. He finished that game and also played the following week against Atlanta before going out with a second hamstring injury.

News: As expected, Schaub was a non-participant on the first day of the Texans' OTAs on Monday, as he continues to rehab his right foot, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Impact: That said, the report adds Schaub will be ready to go by the start of training camp, assuming no setbacks with his foot.

News: Johnson underwent a left knee scope this offseason, Stephanie Stradley of The Houston Chronicle reports.
Impact: Though Johnson did not participate in the Texans' organized team activities Monday, coach Gary Kubiak noted that the star wideout probably could have. In any case, Johnson's scope is being downplayed and it sounds like he will be good to go when it counts.

News: The Texans have signed Beck.
Impact: Beck spent the last two years with the Washington Redskins. He appeared four games with three starts last season, throwing for 858 yards and two touchdowns with four interceptions. Beck will join T.J. Yates and rookie Case Keenum in the competition to be Matt Schaub's backup.

News: The Houston Texans have signed Graham. The 34-year-old Graham has played for a dozen NFL teams in his career. He played for Cincinnati from 2003-09 and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2005 when he made 28 of 32 field-goal attempts.
Impact: Graham played for the New York Giants and then the New England Patriots in 2010, participated in training camps in Washington and Dallas last year before spending two weeks with the Dolphins last November. He finished last season in Baltimore. Graham will compete against Houston rookie Randy Bullock, a fifth-round draft pick.