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Latest Texans Player Notes

Nov 19 2009 - Eric Winston
OT Eric Winston got so riled up by DE Kyle Vanden Bosch in the first game that he challenged him to a fight on the field. Winston was ready to throw down. He accused Vanden Bosch of going for the knees of TE Joel Dreessen to settle an old score.

Nov 19 2009 - Andre Johnson
WR Andre Johnson got so agitated with CB Cortland Finnegan in the first game between the Texans and Titans, he was seen screaming and pointing at the Pro Bowl corner, very uncharacteristic of the usually mild-mannered Johnson. Finally, Johnson grabbed Finnegan and pulled him down on the sideline, starting a big-time brawl. Johnson had 10 catches for 149 yards and two touchdowns.

Nov 19 2009 - Matt Schaub
QB Matt Schaub, who is 10-4 at Reliant Stadium as a starter, has been outstanding in the last two victories over the Titans: 13-12 at Reliant Stadium last season and 34-31 at LP Field in September. In those games, Schaub completed 48-of-78 for 641 yards and five touchdowns. He didn't throw an interception.

Nov 19 2009 - Glenn Martinez
WR Glenn Martinez, who also returns punts, could be active for the first time this season. He had an excellent camp and a good preseason and impressed the coaches enough to keep him on the roster. If Jacoby Jones can't play, Martinez will return punts. Interestingly, when he played for Denver, he returned one for a touchdown in a Monday night victory over Tennessee.

Nov 19 2009 - Jacoby Jones
WR Jacoby Jones, who has 13 catches, an 18.3-yard average and three touchdowns, is nursing a calf injury that won't get better. Jones is doing rehab around the clock to make sure he plays against the Titans. He's also vital to the return game. He averages 11.5 yards on punt returns and 27.5 on kickoff returns. He has one kickoff return for a touchdown.

Nov 18 2009 - Dominique Barber
S Dominique Barber (sprained ankle) will play Sunday.

Nov 18 2009 - Jacoby Jones
WR Jacoby Jones (strained calf) expects to play Sunday.

Nov 18 2009 - Antwaun Molden
CB Antwaun Molden (strained quad) may not play Sunday.

Nov 18 2009 - Arian Foster
RB Arian Foster, who was moved from the practice squad to the active roster, gives the Texans four backs for the Titans game -- Steve Slaton, Ryan Moats and Chris Brown are the others. Gary Kubiak won't name his starter but says every back who's active will play.

Nov 18 2009 - Steve Slaton
RB Steve Slaton had 24 carries for 100 yards in the Texans' 13-12 victory over the Titans at Reliant Stadium last season.

Nov 18 2009 - Mario Williams
DE Mario Williams, who leads the team with four sacks, was pronounced 100 percent fit after the bye week by coach Gary Kubiak. Williams has been bothered by a badly bruised shoulder, according to the team.

Nov 18 2009 - Jesse Nading
DE Jesse Nading was moved from the Texans' regular roster back to their practice squad to make room for RB Arian Foster.

Nov 18 2009 - James Casey
TE James Casey, a fifth-round draft choice, missed the last game after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. He's 100 percent now. Watch him get a few passes thrown to him. He has excellent hands.

Nov 17 2009 - Arian Foster
RB Arian Foster was signed by the Texans from their practice squad, according to Scout.com.

Nov 17 2009 - Jesse Nading
DE Jesse Nading was waived by Houston, according to Scout.com.

Nov 17 2009 - Jacoby Jones
WR Jacoby Jones, who is one of the best punt returners in the league and has caught three touchdown passes, has missed the first two days of practice because of a strained calf muscle. He was injured in the Indianapolis game. The coaches thought his calf would heal during a five-day vacation during the break, but it didn't. He's day-to-day when it comes to practice, and there's a chance he might not play. Players closest to Jones say there's no way he's going to miss playing in a Monday night game.

Nov 17 2009 - DeMeco Ryans
MLB DeMeco Ryans is having his best season. Ryans, a four-year veteran, and rookie Brian Cushing, the first-round draft choice, feed off each other. They study hard, practice hard and play hard. The coaches say Ryans, who is the defensive captain, does an excellent job of putting Cushing in the right spots and helping him make on-field adjustments. Ryans is hoping to play well over the last seven games and then get the multiyear contract extension he thought he'd get after last season.

Nov 17 2009 - Zac Diles
OLB Zac Diles, who starts on the weak side, doesn't get nearly as much attention as MLB DeMeco Ryans and SOLB Brian Cushing, the outstanding rookie. Ryans and Cushing have been tremendous. Diles comes off the field in passing situations because Ryans and Cushing never leave. Diles plays the run well. He turns and runs with most of the players he has to cover. He doesn't get many chances to rush the quarterback.

Nov 17 2009 - Mario Williams
DE Mario Williams rested his bruised shoulder during the bye week. Coach Gary Kubiak said Williams is 100 percent. He has four sacks. In his two prime-time games the last two seasons, he has 6 � sacks. His teammates are encouraging him to have that kind of performance against the Titans. Williams has played the run well, but he hasn't gotten the quarterback like the coaches want him to.

Nov 17 2009 - Eugene Wilson
FS Eugene Wilson is playing better than any time in his career. He moved from cornerback last season, and it took him some time to get adjusted. When he did, he played well. He got off to a slow start this season because of a knee injury, but over the last four games, he's played extremely well. He's become more physical when receivers come over the middle. His two interceptions are tied for the team lead.

Nov 17 2009 - Kevin Walter
WR Kevin Walter works as hard as any player on the team. He's a fearless route runner. He loves going over the middle for quick slants. He fights for the ball. At 6-3, 220, he's a good target. He's also a physical player who runs well after the catch. He missed the first two games because of a hamstring injury and has 27 catches for 328 yards and one touchdown. Look for QB Matt Schaub to throw more to Walter over the last seven games.

Nov 17 2009 - Andre Johnson
WR Andre Johnson, who had 10 catches for 103 yards in the Texans' last game before the bye week, has 54 receptions for 800 yards and four touchdowns. He's ready for his two-times-a-year rivalry with Titans CB Cortland Finnegan. In his last four games against Tennessee, Johnson has 32 catches for 501 yards and four touchdowns. He gets double-teamed on almost every play. The Texans move Johnson around so defenses can't get a good read on him. He'll line up wide to either side or in the slot. He also will go in motion. The only thing he hasn't done is start in the backfield and go in motion.

Nov 17 2009 - James Casey
TE James Casey, a fifth-round draft pick, will back up starter Joel Dreessen against Tennessee. Casey, who's also the backup at fullback, missed the Indianapolis game after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. He returned to practice this week and will be ready for the Titans.

Nov 17 2009 - Joel Dreessen
TE Joel Dreessen, who's a better blocker than receiver, is the starter. He had two catches in his first start in place of the injured Owen Daniels. Rookie James Casey, a fifth-round pick, will be the backup against the Titans.

Nov 17 2009 - Steve Slaton
RB Steve Slaton got a five-day vacation to chill and perhaps overcome his fumble problem. He's fumbled seven times and lost five. He was benched in the last game for Ryan Moats. Coach Gary Kubiak won't announce his starter for the Tennessee game. It could be Slaton, Moats or former Titan Chris Brown.

Nov 17 2009 - Matt Schaub
QB Matt Schaub is the Texans' most valuable player through nine games. One thing so important for him is to make sure the offense gets off to a good start. That hasn't been happing. In the last two games, Schaub has been good for one bad pass in the first quarter. He's got to open confidently and successfully. It's time he takes the team to a touchdown on its first drive for the first time. He's got a career-high and team-record 17 touchdown passes. He's thrown for 2,653 yards. But he's also got nine interceptions, and he's got to reduce them.

Nov 16 2009 - Matt Schaub
QB Matt Schaub is having a terrific season. He's thrown for 2,653 yards, completed 67.5 percent, averaged 8.1 yards per attempt, thrown for 17 touchdowns, suffered nine interceptions and compiled a rating of 98.1. He's been sacked 15 times. If he stays healthy, he should have an outstanding season.

Nov 16 2009 - Brian Cushing
OLB Brian Cushing, who had been sitting out some practices because of a sore foot but has played every game, returned to practice after the bye week. Cushing said getting rest and relaxation over a five-day period helped his sore foot.

Nov 16 2009 - Jacoby Jones
WR Jacoby Jones, who has three touchdown receptions and one touchdown on a kickoff return, has a strained calf muscle that kept him out of practice. It didn't get better over the five days the players got off during the bye week. Jones is their primary return man, and he's done well when called off the bench with 13 catches for 238 yards.

Nov 16 2009 - James Casey
TE James Casey, a rookie fifth-round pick, practiced on a limited basis Monday. He underwent arthroscopic surgery on his knee and missed the Indianapolis game. Casey is the backup to starter Joel Dreessen as well as FB Vonta Leach. He'll participate in full practices beginning Thursday.

Nov 16 2009 - Andre Johnson
WR Andre Johnson has averaged eight catches, 125.2 yards and a touchdown in his last four games against the Titans.

Nov 16 2009 - Mario Williams
DE Mario Williams, who has been playing with a bruised shoulder, leads the team with four sacks. In two primetime games the last two seasons, Williams has 6 1/2 sacks.

Nov 16 2009 - DeMeco Ryans
MLB DeMeco Ryans watched Titans RB Chris Johnson score on three long touchdowns in the first game in September, a game the Texans won 34-31 in Nashville. "The key is still Johnson," Ryans said. "Vince (Young) comes in, he's managing the game well, but they key is still Chris. He's done a great job running the ball and making great plays."

Nov 16 2009 - Dunta Robinson
CB Dunta Robinson is impressed with Titans QB Vince Young, who is 3-0 since replacing Kerry Collins. "You watch him in a lot of third- and fourth-down plays, and he's converting with his legs. He's keeping a lot of drives alive with his legs and doing a good job of getting the ball to the receivers."

Nov 16 2009 - Brian Cushing
OLB Brian Cushing, who has been outstanding over their first nine games, will be playing a Monday night game for the first time. "It's going to be awesome," he said. "Everyone talks about that first Monday night game you have and the experience. I'm just really looking forward to the opportunity for our team and myself to shine."

Nov 14 2009 - Eugene Wilson
FS Eugene Wilson $5,000 for a hit on Indianapolis Colts TE Dallas Clark last Sunday, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Nov 12 2009 - Joel Dreessen
TE Joel Dreessen caught two passes in his starting debut. He was focused more on his blocking than receiving. Because the coaches used more formations with four wideouts, he didn't get as much attention. As the season winds down, watch Dreessen figure more in the passing game.

Nov 12 2009 - Chris Myers
C Chris Myers has been playing with a high ankle sprain since preseason. He doesn't talk about it, but the players say he's not going to be 100 percent until he can get a lot of rest after the season. Myers is the leader of the line and does well unless he's dwarfed by gargantuan nose tackles.

Nov 12 2009 - Andre Johnson
WR Andre Johnson is trying to join Jerry Rice as the first receivers to lead the league in yards in consecutive seasons.

Nov 12 2009 - James Casey
TE James Casey has returned from the arthroscopic surgery he had before the Indianapolis game. He's determined to play against the Titans on Monday night. If he does, expect him to catch a few passes because he has excellent hands.

Nov 12 2009 - Jacoby Jones
WR Jacoby Jones, who has 13 catches for 238 yards and three touchdowns, has become a reliable big-play specialist. During the bye week, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan needs to find ways to get him the ball more over the last seven games.

Nov 12 2009 - Antonio Smith
DE Antonio Smith, who has sacks in the last two games and is playing much better now that he's adjusted to the style defensive line coach Bill Kollar wants, is one of five new starters on defense. OLB Brian Cushing, DT Shaun Cody, SS Bernard Pollard and CB Glover Quin are starting on defense for the Texans for the first time this season.

Nov 12 2009 - James Casey
TE James Casey missed the Colts game while recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery. He says he'll return for the Tennessee game. Casey, a fifth-round pick, is similar to Owen Daniels, who's out for the year. Casey is 6-3, 248. Daniels is 6-3, 250. Like Daniels, Casey is a good receiver with terrific hands. Casey doesn't have the experience the Texans lost with Daniels.

Nov 12 2009 - Anthony Hill
TE Anthony Hill, a fourth-round pick, was active for the first time because of injuries (namely to Owen Daniels, who is out for the season) at his position. He caught his first pass at Indianapolis. At 6-6, 269, Hill is more of a blocker than receiver.

Nov 12 2009 - Mario Williams
DE Mario Williams has four sacks in nine games. He needs the extra week to rest an injured shoulder that's keeping him from being 100 percent. His shoulder won't be 100 percent until he gets time for rest and relaxation in the offseason. He misses some practice time, but he plays every game.

Nov 12 2009 - Matt Schaub
QB Matt Schaub likes to throw the ball down the field. He's been very accurate. His 67.5 completion percentage ranks fifth. His 8.14 yards per attempt is sixth. His rating has dropped to 98.1. Of the 15 highest-rated quarterbacks, he's the only one who has thrown at least nine interceptions. "The difference in being a dang good quarterback and being a great quarterback is continuing to do what you do but protecting the ball for your team," Kubiak said. "He hasn't protected it the last two weeks the way he needs to, but he's had a pretty good nine weeks, and he's going to have to be that and even more in these last seven games."

Nov 12 2009 - Brian Cushing
OLB Brian Cushing was outstanding over the first nine games. He leads the team in tackles. He's brought a physical presence to the defense. He's the leading candidate to be voted NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He's been playing with a sore foot that causes him to miss a lot of practice. It hasn't affected him during games. "You try not to because if you do get caught up in it, you'll get caught off-guard and have that game or stretch of games that you don't want to have," he said. "The biggest thing is just finding a way you can get better. Instead of thinking what you're doing good, find out what you did bad and try to improve upon that."

Nov 12 2009 - Steve Slaton
RB Steve Slaton, who didn't start against the Colts -- Ryan Moats did -- could get his job back for the Tennessee game. "I know you're tired of hearing it, but I'll watch them practice," coach Gary Kubiak told reporters. "I want to see how Steve responds and comes back from this break. I want to see how Ryan responds and Chris (Brown) being as fresh as he can be. It'll be a day-to-day deal for me."

Nov 11 2009 - Dominique Barber
S Dominique Barber (sprained ankle) may not be ready to play Nov. 23 against Tennessee.

Nov 11 2009 - Jacoby Jones
WR Jacoby Jones, who has 13 catches for 238 yards and three touchdowns, has become a reliable big-play specialist. During the bye week, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan needs to find ways to get him the ball more over the last seven games.