This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

The Houston Texans chose former BYU quarterback John Beck as their third-string quarterback and released Case Keenum on Friday.

"John had a good camp," Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. "I thought last night he played exceptional. He gives us some security there. He knows our system moving forward."

Kubiak said they might sign Keenum, an undrafted rookie who set NCAA passing records at the University of Houston, to the practice squad to add depth at the position after Houston was left to look outside the team for backups last season when its top two quarterbacks were lost to season-ending injuries.

Cards go with Skelton

The Arizona Cardinals will go with John Skelton as starting quarterback in their season opener Sept. 9 against Seattle.

Skelton and Kevin Kolb had waged a protracted competition for the job over the offseason workouts and through the preseason.

Broncos keep 3 QBs

Tenth-year cornerback Drayton Florence was cut when the Denver Broncos decided to keep three quarterbacks on their roster.

Backing up Peyton Manning will be Caleb Hanie, who was sacked nine times in the preseason but played better than 21-year-old rookie Brock Osweiler, who had a strong offseason and a good start to camp but couldn't win the No. 2 job.

Florence signed a two-year deal with Denver in May after his release from Buffalo, but the Broncos kept just five cornerbacks when they trimmed their roster to 53.

The Broncos also kept veteran linebacker Keith Brooking, who missed the entire preseason after pulling a hamstring during his second practice, and safety Jim Leonhard (knee surgery), who returned to action on the eve of final cuts and impressed the coaching staff.

The Broncos also placed defensive end Jeremy Beal on season-ending injured reserve with a torn ligament in his left knee.

Wallace among cuts

Backup quarterbacks were prominent among players cut as teams needed to get down to the 53-man roster limit.

Nine-year veteran Seneca Wallace was beaten out by Colt McCoy in Cleveland, Mike Kafka fell to rookie Nick Foles and journeyman Trent Edwards in Philadelphia, Brian Hoyer got axed in New England, and Josh McCown was released by Chicago.

Other veterans released as team's prepare for the regular season included 2005 Super Bowl MVP receiver Deion Branch and center Dan Koppen in New England; defensive backs Joselio Hanson and O.J. Atogwe in Philadelphia; Pittsburgh offensive lineman Trai Essex and punter Jeremy Kapinos, who were waived injured; Buffalo DT Dwan Edwards; Giants running back D.J. Ware; and Washington running back Tim Hightower.

The Eagles did keep former BYU offensive lineman Dallas Reynolds, who makes an NFL opening-day roster for the first time. —

Week 1 schedule

Wednesday

• Dallas at N.Y. Giants, 6:30 p.m., Ch. 5

Sunday, Sept. 9

• Indianapolis at Chicago, 11 a.m.

• Philadelphia at Cleveland, 11 a.m.

• St. Louis at Detroit,11 a.m.

• Miami at Houston,11 a.m.

• Atlanta at Kansas City, 11 a.m.

• Jacksonville at Minnesota, 11 a.m.

• Washington at New Orleans, 11 a.m.

• Buffalo at N.Y. Jets,11 a.m.

• New England at Tennessee, 11 a.m.

• Seattle at Arizona,2:25 p.m.

• San Francisco at Green Bay, 2:25 p.m.

• Carolina at Tampa Bay, 2:25 p.m.

• Pittsburgh at Denver, 6:20 p.m., Ch. 5

Monday, Sept. 10

• Cincinnati at Baltimore, 5 p.m., ESPN

• San Diego at Oakland, 8:15 p.m., ESPN