Free agent QB John Beck has signed with the CFL's BC Lions. Mike Shanahan's teacher's pet hasn't appeared in an NFL game since 2011. Now 32, Beck's American career is over.

Free agent QB John Beck will participate in Saints rookie minicamp.

Texans released QB John Beck. The Texans needed Beck's roster spot so they could secure some secondary depth in the form of Troy Nolan. They'll roll with only T.J. Yates behind starter Matt Schaub for now. They also have rookie Case Keenum on the practice squad.

Texans declared QB John Beck, WR DeVier Posey, CB Roc Carmichael, CB Brandon Harris, ILB Tim Dobbins, OT Andrew Gardner and OG Brandon Brooks inactive for Week 3 against the Broncos. There are no surprise inactives for the Texans, who remain one of the healthiest teams in the league heading into Week 3. A core special teamer, Dobbins is dealing with a hamstring injury. A third-round pick, Posey has been a healthy scratch three straight weeks.

Texans agreed to terms with QB John Beck, formerly of the Redskins. It's an obvious fit because Gary Kubiak's offense is so similar to the Shanahans', but the Texans had better be wary of Beck's cunning. He's an excellent practice player who goes deer-in-headlights when the bullets are live. A (nearly) 31-year-old checkdown machine, Beck appeared in four games last season (three starts), and completed 60.6 percent of his passes with a 6.5 YPA, two touchdowns, and four interceptions. Beck shouldn't be a realistic candidate to unseat T.J. Yates for Matt Schaub's primary backup role.

Redskins released QB John Beck. A Mike Shanahan favorite, Beck became expendable when the Redskins drafted Robert Griffin III on Thursday and Kurt Cousins this morning. Now 30 years old, he's probably seen his last NFL start, but could garner some attention as a backup. In four appearances last season, Beck completed 60-of-132 passes for 858 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions.

John Beck believes he'll get another opportunity to be a starting quarterback. "I feel without a doubt I can be a better quarterback," Beck said in a recent radio interview. "And (coach Mike Shanahan said after the season), 'I know you can too, but right now we're in this situation. There'll be another opportunity down the road and you just got to make sure you're ready for it.' So, there's where my mindset is at. I believe there will be another opportunity." We don't share Beck's optimism heading into his age-31 campaign. If Beck gets into a game next season, something will have gone wrong for the Redskins.

Sports Illustrated's Peter King believes "someone not on the roster now" will be the Redskins' starting quarterback in 2012. Rex Grossman is a free agent, while John Beck is under contract for $1 million in 2012. Facing what is likely a do-or-die season, coach Mike Shanahan will almost certainly take a quarterback with Washington's first-round pick, or make a play for someone like Green Bay's Matt Flynn. Washington has been flimsily connected to both Flynn and Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill in recent days.

Redskins coach Mike Shanahan confirmed Wednesday that John Beck would play in Week 17 only if Rex Grossman got injured. "We play to win," said Shanahan. Once the Shanahans' pet project, Beck failed miserably in four appearances (three starts) this year, throwing two touchdown passes compared to five turnovers. Due a $1 million salary in 2012, Beck will likely return as no better than the Redskins' No. 2 quarterback next season.

"Three people with knowledge of the situation" tell the Washington Post that John Beck and Rex Grossman split first-team snaps in Redskins practice this week.