Defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr. was released by the Texans officially Wednesday with a failed physical designation.Edwards was ruled out for the season with a ruptured pectoral and ended the year on injured reserve. Now, the remainder of his two-year, $9.5 million contract is off the books with a savings of $4 million in cash from his salary with $1 million in dead money and a net savings of $4.4 million against the salary cap.The decision was financially motivated. Edwards is expected to have interest around the league.The Texans have already signed defensive end Logan Hall, a former University of Houston standout who can play inside and outside.Edwards had played in every game for the Texans before getting hurt, recording 13 tackles, 1 1/2 sacks, two tackle for losses and four quarterback hits.Edwards, 32, started a dozen games two seasons ago despite serving a four-game suspension for a violation of the NFL substance-abuse policy.Although the suspension was a setback, Edwards play warranted his return to the Texans as he recorded 31 tackles for the second-highest single-season total of his career with three sacks, eight quarterback hits and three tackles for losses.Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com