UNDATED (AP) — The Houston Texans are expected to hire Lovie Smith as their head coach, a person familiar with the process told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the team had not announced that Smith would be hired. The same source said an official announcement was expected later Monday or Tuesday morning.
Smith, who is Black, will be the second minority candidate to be hired this offseason after the Miami Dolphins hired San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, who is biracial, on Sunday.
Elsewhere in the NFL:
— The Rams could get two former starters back from injured reserve in time for the Super Bowl. Coach Sean McVay said defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day and running back Darrell Henderson are expected to practice with the Rams this week, and there’s “a good chance” Joseph-Day and Henderson can play against Cincinnati.
— Two people familiar with the decision say the New Orleans Saints have promoted defensive coordinator Dennis Allen to head coach. Sean Payton resigned nearly two weeks ago after 16 years with the club.
— The Giants have hired a Black assistant general manager less than a week after fired Dolphins coach Brian Flores sued the Giants, two other franchises and the NFL for alleged racist hiring practices. The Giants say Brandon Brown will work with new general manager Joe Schoen, leading the player personnel department and helping other parts of the football operation.
— A group of civil rights leaders called for replacing the Rooney Rule in a meeting Monday with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Major civil rights groups requested the meeting after former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores accused the NFL and three teams — the Giants, Broncos and Dolphins — of racial discrimination in a proposed class-action lawsuit last week.
