There's a place in the NFL away from the gridiron that players rarely talk about in public and that fans hardly notice. It's a place without stats or the crushing sounds of the gridiron. No refs' whistles or cheering fans. Yet players find themselves in this kind of limbo. That's where I found former Texan defensive end Eric Powell. Because Eric was so open about his experience, we can get an inside look at the Texans as a team.

Who is Eric Powell? He was signed by the Texans to a reserve/future contract on January 2, 2008. He was released July 22, 2008. The Texans' coaching staff liked him because he was a big man who could move. Earl Cochran helped recruit him to the Texans.

He'd been training for months to compete for a spot on the Texans' active roster. During OTAs, he tore some connective tissue in his hip. This didn't outright end his season; rather, it thrust him into a strange limbo. From the moment he was released, numerous conflicting options blossomed. Several NFL teams and even Arena League teams called to inquire about his availability the day he was cut. He could go play for any of those teams, but he would have to sign an injury waiver so if he couldn't play because of pain or further aggravation of his injury, the team he signed with might not owe him any compensation. Because his injury occurred while he was under contract with the Texans, he could take an injury settlement and get paid for this season. He could also be moved to IR if the Texans decide that he is part of their plans for next year.

Despite these options, what Eric Powell wants most it to get back on the field. He's been in Houston since March training non-stop. When other players left on vacation, he stayed at the facility and trained and then trained some more. Football is a passion for Eric Powell.

Now that you know more about who he is, read after the jump to get a closer look at the Texans.

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After taking up residence for the past two years in the Texans' training room, Scout.com is reporting that the Texans have waived LT Charles Spencer. 

For the Texans, it marks the end of a tragic chapter that saw the promise of a young man's career all but ended with one fateful play.  "Big Nasty," as he was appropriately dubbed, will go through waivers, where he'll see if there is a team willing to give him a chance to prove he can make it back.

According to most accounts of his rehabilitation process, Charles tried to keep the outlook positive and was working very hard to rejoin his teammates on the football field.  Here's hoping Charles Spencer continues to keep a postive attitude as he enters the next chapter in his pro football career.

In other team news: FB Jon Abbate, DT Eric Powell, and Dan Stevenson were also released. 

These four (4) roster moves were made in an effort to make room for the three (3) rookies that signed yesterday and the rookie that is expected to sign in the coming days.  The Texans' roster currently shows the maximum of 80 players the team is allowed to take into camp, including unsigned first round draft pick LT Duane Brown. Not counting an unsigned Brown, the roster count currently stands at 79. 

[UPDATE]: As first noted by 1Tex in the Comments below, Big Nasty has signed with Carolina. Best of luck to him as he keeps battling to get back on the field.