Houston, TX (Sports Network) - The Houston Texans officially placed cornerback
Brice McCain on injured reserve with a designation to return and signed
cornerback Stanford Routt on Wednesday.
McCain broke his left foot in Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans.
Texans coach Gary Kubiak said on Monday that McCain underwent surgery to
repair the fracture that morning.
Under the designated to return tag, McCain would be eligible to resume
practicing in six weeks and be put back on the active roster in eight weeks,
meaning the Texans would have to reach Super Bowl XLVII for him to play.
Routt had 21 tackles and two interceptions in seven games for the Kansas City
Chiefs before being released in early November.
The University of Houston product spent the first seven years of his career
with the Oakland Raiders. Routt has 258 tackles, 12 interceptions and two
sacks in 117 career contests.
Houston's secondary has been hit hard by injuries in recent weeks, with both
Pro Bowl cornerback Johnathan Joseph (hamstring) and fellow corner Alan Ball
(foot) inactive for the Tennessee game.
The Texans will visit New England, which currently ranks sixth in the NFL in
passing offense, in a Monday night matchup.
The Sports Network