Adams was released by Houston, CSN Houston reports.

Adams mostly played on special teams during the preseason, returning a few kicks and muffing one punt return.

Adams returned three kicks and a punt in Houston's 32-0 preseason loss to Arizona on Saturday. He averaged 22 yards on the kick returns and gained seven yards on the lone punt return.

Adams, who wasn't targeted as a receiver on offense, muffed his one punt return but was able to recover it. Both of Houston's return jobs are open and Adams has good results as a collegiate returner. If he's to make the final roster, it will be because he wins one or both of the return jobs.

Adams was signed by the Texans and participated in his practice Friday, CSN Houston reports. He's noted mostly for his return abilities on special teams and that's mostly where he worked out during Friday's practice.

The Texans have opened up the return duties and are giving several players a look. Adams, who was a fourth-round in 2012, averaged 23.1 yards on nine kick returns and 11.5 yards on nine punt returns while playing nine games for the Panthers that season. He last played in the Canadian Football League and was released by Edmonton in June.

Former Panthers fourth-round pick WR Joe Adams has been released by the CFL's Edmonton Eskimos.

The last we heard of 24-year-old Adams, he was working out for the Raiders last October. He was the 104th pick in the 2012 draft, flaming out after one season in Carolina. Small (5'11/179) and not particularly fast (4.55), Adams was never a particularly good NFL bet, and couldn't hang on in Canada, either.

Free agent WR Joe Adams worked out for the Raiders on Tuesday.

It's Adams' first known workout since he was cut loose by the Panthers. The 2012 fourth-rounder was a bust as a rookie, catching just one pass while failing to stand out as a returner. He lost three fumbles despite limited playing time.

Panthers waived/injured WR Joe Adams and DT Frank Kearse.

Adams is shaping up as one of ex-GM Marty Hurney's final busts. The 2012 fourth-rounder caught just one pass as a rookie.

Panthers rookie WR Joe Adams has reclaimed punt-return duties from Captain Munnerlyn while Armanti Edwards is locked in on kickoff returns.

Adams returned a pair of punts for 27 yards last week. "Joe was exciting," coach Ron Rivera said. "I was real happy for him." Edwards has returned five kickoffs for 105 yards since Kealoha Pilares was lost for the season. "Armanti is really relishing his role," said Rivera. "The last couple of weeks, he's really hit it strong."

Coach Ron Rivera confirmed that rookie WR/PR Joe Adams will likely be active Sunday if Armanti Edwards (calf) is held out.

In the doghouse thanks to a spate of early-season fumbles, Adams would work into the mix with Captain Munnerlyn on punt returns. David Gettis would likely take over for Edwards on kickoff returns, as Adams isn't yet trusted in that department.

Rookie WR Joe Adams has been removed from the kick returner job.

Adams fumbled two kickoffs against the Giants last Thursday. He'll be replaced by Kealoha Pilares. Adams is expected to stick as the primary punt returner.

The Charlotte Observer projects rookie Joe Adams as "exclusively" a slot receiver in Panthers OC Rob Chudzinski's offense.

It's hardly breaking news for a 179-pound player, but does confirm Adams won't be involved in the No. 2 receiver battle between Brandon LaFell and David Gettis. Adams should also return punts, with Kealoha Pilares handling kickoffs.