Derrick Mason is expected to retire as a Raven Monday. Mason informally announced his retirement back in January, but he's scheduled a news conference with Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome and coach John Harbaugh for Monday afternoon. Mason spent six of his 15 NFL seasons in Baltimore and is the franchise leader in receptions and receiving yards.

Former Ravens, Titans, and Texans WR Derrick Mason announced his retirement from football.

Texans waived WR Derrick Mason. This might just about do it for the rapidly declining veteran. Acquired from the Jets in early October, Mason made just six catches in seven games, and only three after Week 6. He was a healthy scratch in Week 13. Mason has simply lost the ability to separate, and didn't show enough to stick in the slot. If he's played his final game, he'll end his sterling 15-year career with 943 catches (12th all time) for 12,061 yards (18th all time) in 230 games.

Derrick Mason caught three passes for 27 yards in his Texans debut Sunday, a loss to the Ravens. He was targeted four times against his former team. With the Texans unable to get anything going downfield in the absence of Andre Johnson, Mason proved useful as a safety valve, but didn't show anything more than he did in five underwhelming weeks as a member of the Jets. He should remain quarantined to the waiver wire in fantasy leagues.

Derrick Mason is active for Week 6 against the Ravens. As is Derrick Ward, who missed the past month with an ankle injury. Mason had just four days to learn the Texans offense, but was never expected to be inactive today. He'll be facing his former team for the second straight week. He will not be in the starting lineup, however, as the Texans have decided to stick with a struggling Jacoby Jones opposite Kevin Walter in Andre Johnson's absence. Inactive for the Texans are Q.B. T.J. Yates, WR Trindon Holliday, CB Brandon Harris, OG Thomas Austin, OT Andrew Gardner, WR Andre Johnson and FB James Casey.

Derrick Mason says he's comfortable with the Texans offense heading into his Sunday debut. "From what they've given me game plan-wise, I'm 100 percent," Mason said. "The things they're asking me to do Sunday I'm sure about. I'm confident I can go play full speed." ESPN New York reported Friday that Mason had failed to master the Jets playbook before being traded, so he shouldn't be expected to seamlessly fit into the Texans offense. He's a poor bye week fill-in for Week 6.

The Jets were reportedly disappointed with Derrick Mason because he wasn't learning the playbook as quickly as expected. Given his experience, a new playbook shouldn't have been a major hurdle for Mason. The 37-year-old flew home to Nashville every Monday and Tuesday to be with his family, though, leaving little time for diligent homework. On at least a couple of occasions, TV cameras caught Mason out of place because he didn't know the play. He can't be expected to be a major contributor for the Texans right out of the gate.

Derrick Mason fully plans to play in Week 6 against the Ravens. "I will play Sunday," said Mason, who promised to be in his playbook "all night tonight, tomorrow morning, all the way up until Sunday." We don't doubt that Mason could learn enough in that short period of time, but he's lost his effectiveness as a receiver at age 37 1/2. He's not worth rostering in fantasy.

Texans acquired WR Derrick Mason from the Jets in exchange for a conditional draft choice. The writing was on the wall for Mason in New York, who played just five snaps in Sunday's loss to the Patriots after making comments critical of the team's offense last week. Of course, those words probably wouldn't have mattered if he had done anything on the field this season. He hasn't, making just 13 catches for 115 yards. That puts him on pace for only 41.6 receptions and 368 yards. Coming into 2011, he had posted at least 750 receiving yards every year since 2000. In Houston, he'll provide veteran insurance for a club expected to be without Andre Johnson for at least the next two weeks. Although he will be in a passing offense worlds ahead of New York's, it's hard to believe he'll be in for a meaningful uptick in production. You can do better on the waiver wire.

Derrick Mason played just 5-of-53 offensive snaps in Sunday's loss to the Patriots. Jeremy Kerley played 18 snaps as Mason's grip on the No. 3 receiver job has been loosened. Coach Rex Ryan simply said that the team wanted to give Kerley "a few more shots." In other words, Mason's on-field production at age 37 is no longer useful and his critical post-game comments last week didn't help. Beat writer Rich Cimini even suggests that Mason could be cut at some point soon.