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Andre Johnson surprised at uncle's words, hasn't considered pay cut

In a story that posted Thursday evening, the Houston Chronicle reported that Andre Johnson would be willing to take a pay cut to remain with the Texans. The story was based on Johnson's uncle and adviser, Andre Melton, saying Johnson "doesn't mind having a pay cut."

During today's locker room availability, Johnson said he and his uncle have never discussed the idea of a pay cut. I asked Johnson if that was accurate, and it seemed to take him by surprise.

"Who said that?" Johnson replied. I told him his uncle did.

"Really?" Johnson said. "I don’t know where that came from. I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it."

The Chronicle's original headline said Johnson would be willing to take a pay cut, but on Friday afternoon changed to say Johnson had not yet decided whether or not to take a pay cut. Johnson is set to make a base salary of $10.5 million next season with a cap number of $16.144 million.

"I never made any statements about no pay cut or anything because nobody ever approached me about a pay cut," Johnson said, when asked how he'd feel if he were asked to take a pay cut. "Like I said, I’ll cross that bridge whenever it comes."

Johnson said the idea of a pay cut is not on his mind as the Texans prepare for their final game of the season, with a chance to make the playoffs if they win and the Chargers and Ravens both lose.

"I don’t know where that story came from," Johnson said. "It wasn’t, did it say that I said it? I can’t speak for nobody else. I only can speak for what I say. I didn’t make that statement."