The Texans recently restructured veteran guard Shaq Mason’s three-year, $36 million deal by converting his salary into a $8.04 million signing bonus to create $6.4 million in salary cap space.

The two moves combined free up $16.7 million in salary cap space.

The former first-round draft pick signed a three-year, $56 million deal that includes $36.5 million guaranteed, a $18 million signing bonus and an $18.6 million average that makes him one of the highest paid offensive linemen in the game last summer.

The deal was negotiated by Malki Kawa and Ethan Lock of First Round Management and Texans general manager Nick Caserio.

Howard finished last season on injured reserve with a knee injury and patellar tendon issues that required surgery after previously breaking his hand in several places and undergoing surgery and being placed on injured reserve.

During the NFL owners meetings, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said he expects Howard to be ready by training camp.

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.