Arian Foster, the Texans’ four-time Pro Bowl running back, who was scheduled to make $6.5 million next season, was released after missing 12 games with injuries last season. Foster, 29, spent time on the practice squad before rising to lead the N.F.L. in rushing with 1,616 yards in 2010. He leaves Houston with a franchise-record 6,472 yards rushing.
u25a0 Defensive end Charles Johnson’s nine-year run with the Carolina Panthers came to an end with his release, a move that will save the team $11 million under the salary cap. Johnson, 29, has a career total of 63 ½ sacks, second most in franchise history behind Julius Peppers’s 81.