Bill O'Brien has denied reports of a power struggle between him and general manager Rick Smith.

The Houston Texans waived Ryan Mallett after he missed the team's flight to play the Miami Dolphins.

"I've been told over the last couple of days that a lot of things have been said in the media about how the organization works," O'Brien said, per John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. "Let me say this: Rick and I have respect for each other. We work together and communicate every day. It's a partnership. Decisions are made by the two of us.

"Obviously, they require the concurrence of the owner, Bob McNair. That's how it works around here."

O'Brien reportedly wanted to cut Mallett before the Texans even took the field to play the Dolphins, while Smith lobbied to keep Mallett so they could have a capable backup in the game.

The Houston Texans have released Ryan Mallett.

Houston will sign or trade for a veteran quarterback to back up Brian Hoyer.

Mallett missed the Texans' charter flight to play the Miami Dolphins.

The Houston Texans considered cutting Ryan Mallett after he missed the team's flight to face the Miami Dolphins.

Bill O'Brien said Monday afternoon that he and Texans general manager Rick Smith were discussing options for how to handle Mallett's situation. O'Brien has control of the Texans 53-man roster, but on big decisions, the Texans seek a consensus.

The Texans don't have another healthy quarterback on the roster beyond Brian Hoyer.

Mallett, who blamed his tardiness on traffic, was late for meetings Saturday, then missed the team's charter flight to South Florida. It was the second known time Mallett was late for a team activity.

The Texans signed Hoyer this offseason to compete with Mallett for the starting quarterback job. Hoyer initially won the competition, then was benched in the fourth quarter of the Texans' season opener.

Hoyer regained his starting job in Week 6. 

Arian Foster has suffered a torn Achilles and is out for the rest of the season.

Foster came back from groin surgery early and 265 yards from scrimmage over four weeks.

Foster picked up the injury in the fourth quarter of the Houston Texans' loss to the Miami Dolphins. Foster had 18 carries for 59 yards, five catches for 66 yards and two touchdowns in the game.

Ryan Mallett missed the Houston Texans' charter flight on Saturday for their game at the Miami Dolphins.

Mallett had to make the trip by commercial airline.

The Texans had no comment on Mallett, but he will be fined, as he was in training camp when he missed a practice because he said his cell phone battery died, so his alarm clock couldn’t go off.

Jadeveon Clowney was in a walking boot on his right foot on Friday.

Clowney played more than half the defensive snaps for the Houston Texans in their Week 5 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

Clowney missed most of his rookie year with knee problems.