The Houston Texans' wide receiver Andre Johnson will sit out the team's required minicamp while the pro-bowler decides if he wants to remain with the National Football League squad, CBS Sports reported Monday.
According to The Houston Chronicle, the Texans' rebuilding efforts and uncertain quarterback picture has made the 12-year-veteran uneasy about returning. Right now, Johnson would play with from fellow veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick if he decides to continue his career with one of the NFL's American Football Conference teams.
Johnson's uncle and advisor said non-attendance is his nephew's only option.
"Right now, that's all that he can do," Johnson's uncle and advisor said. "We've done what we can do, so we're just sitting there waiting. We'll evaluate it in a month or so and see what's going on."
Johnson faces a $11,575 penalty if he does show up to practice with the American Football Conference team Tuesday, The Chronicle reported. Wednesday's charges total $23,150. The damage reaches $34,730 Thursday, racking up $69,455 in total fees. Johnson also risks retracting a $1 million offseason workout bonus.
According to The Chronicle, the Texans' highest-paid player in 2013 last spoke with team officials May 13 about concern the squad's rebuilding plan put him at a disadvantage for ending his career positively with the team.
"Nobody's been here as long as I have," Johnson said at the time. "You just kind of look at things; I've been thinking about things this offseason. And I just kind of wonder sometimes, 'Is this still the place for me?'"
Under his current terms, Johnson is set to make a $10 million base salary. This is under a $15.6 million salary cap. Johnson's contract runs through 2016. The agreement's last two years total a combined $31.5 million base salary.
Johnson's stint is his second in 2010, according to The Chronicle.
