Last season, linebacker Joe Mays laid a fine-inducing hit on Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub. This season, they’re reportedly playing on the same team, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Mays hit Schaub during a Texans game against the Denver Broncos, causing the quarterback to lose a small portion of his ear. He was subsequently fined for $50,000 dollars and suspended for one game. He later said the hit was unintentional and apologized to the Schaub.
The Broncos waved Mays last week and he became a target for many teams searching for a linebacker. The Texans have signed Mays to a one-year deal. He has experience playing in both the 3-4 and 4-3, lining up in both formations as a member of the Broncos.
Also, the Broncos could use Mays’ help on the depth chart. Their star linebacker Brian Cushing is still making his way back from knee surgery and will be carefully nursed back into the starting lineup. The teams’ other starting linebacker, Darryl Sharpton, is suffering from groin troubles and is on the non-football injury list. It is not clear when he will return to full strength. Cameron Collins and Tim Dobbins have been practicing with the starters since the beginning of training camp.
Schaub said Monday playing on the same team as Mays won’t be an issue.
"We're way past that. That was gone as soon as we walked off the football field that day," the QB said according to ESPN.com. "It's just a physical, hard-nosed game and he's a physical player and that's just part of football. I don't fault him for that ... He's a good player and a good guy so it's definitely water under the bridge."
The 28-year old Mays played only six games last season due to a broken leg.
