DeAndre Hopkins disappointed with Texans' contract stance but will end holdout

Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins said in a statement to ESPN he is returning to join the Houston Texans, despite his disappointment in the team's unwillingness to negotiate a contract extension for him.

"I too am disappointed that the Texans organization has elected not to enter into contract negotiation to secure my future as a Texan," the statement read. "I have expressed my sincere position regarding my contract status and with sound mind have expressed my stands to the Texans organization.

"My focus also is on the 2016 season and to help my team reach our ultimate goal.

"Having said that I am returning to the Houston Texans to play for a Super Bowl in Houston, Texas. I will be holding a 3 p.m. press conference at Reliant stadium today. We are excited about returning to the team and grind this camp."

Hopkins was placed on the team's did not report list yesterday after he began a short holdout to express his displeasure. The Texans receiver is entering the fourth year of his rookie contract and is set to make $1.4 million this year.

In the past two seasons, the Texans extended the contracts of defensive end J.J. Watt and outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus as they entered the fourth years of their rookie contracts.

Earlier Sunday, Texans general manager Rick Smith said the team's position was "firm" that it would not negotiate with Hopkins this season.

"His actions are counter-intuitive to any of the productive energy that is necessary for anything to get done," Smith said of Hopkins, following the team's first training camp practice on Sunday morning.

"There are any number of factors that go into when or whether or not to extend a contract," Smith added. "They [Hopkins' representatives] came to us this summer and talked to us about that. We contemplated and came to a decision and we communicated that decision to them, and told them it was a firm decision."

Watt said Sunday that he understood Hopkins' position.

"I'm a player, so I advocate for players getting paid," Watt said on Sunday. "If I was in the front office, I'm sure my answer would be different. But I'm a player, and I know that a career is short. And if he feels this is what he needs to do, then this is what he needs to do."