Rahim Moore Released by Texans: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

After signing a three-year deal with the Houston Texans last offseason, veteran safety Rahim Moore will hit the market again after the team released him. 

John McClain of the Houston Chronicle and Mark Berman of Fox 26 reported Moore was cut by the Texans. The team announced the move later Thursday. 

Moore's contract with the Texans was worth up to $12 million over three years. He was set to make $2.85 million in base salary next season with a cap hit of just over $4 million, per Spotrac. 

Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle noted the Texans will get salary-cap relief by releasing Moore, as well as already having his replacement in place:

Injuries slowed the 26-year-old Moore down in the peak of his career. He missed six games in 2013 with the Denver Broncos but rebounded the next year to play in all 16 games and record a career-high six interceptions. 

Luck was not on Moore's side in Houston, as poor play led to his being benched after the Texans' Week 7 game against Miami. That was the last time he appeared in a game for the Texans, recording a total of 10 tackles and one interception. 

Last year may not have been particularly kind to Moore, but he's not far removed from being a productive safety. Thomas Maney of Pro Football Focus graded him as the second-best free-agent safety last year, behind New England's Devin McCourty:

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After an injury-shortened 2013, Moore bounced back to grade positively in coverage last season. Only two safeties bested his five interceptions and he had among the lowest Yards per Cover Snap at the position (0.25). Run defense is a question mark, as he graded at -3.3 there in 2014, with missed tackles one of the main issues.

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The Texans didn't need Moore any longer after Andre Hal's emergence. They also clearly didn't want him after his poor first half in 2016, so this is a clean break for both sides. 

Given Moore's age, he figures to be a strong bounce-back candidate in 2016 and could end up being one of the best free-agent bargains as he seeks to rebuild his value in hopes of securing another long-term contract in 2017.