(credit: Bob Levey/Getty Images)
As we enter the opening weekend of NFL football, Texans fans should be rejoicing. A loaded defense, an explosive offense, and an dangerous special team player in Trindon Holiday; it’s what all Texans fans have been waiting for for the past decade.
But you can thank a few key injuries that have nagged the Texans this week for that sinking feeling in your stomach. We will have to see if these injuries will continue to bother key Texans as the season continues.
For the Texans…
Arian Foster left practice on Thursday with a sore knee. Gary Kubiak told the media that they would work Foster out on Saturday to see if he will play in the season opener. It should be interesting to see if this is just soreness from a long training camp, or something else that could give him issues later in the year. For now, Foster is a game time decision. I would say that with backs Tate and Forsett chomping at the bit to get every carry that they can, Foster is questionable.
Brooks Reed also left practice on Thursday with a sore hip that he apparently tweaked coming out of his stance during a drill. He, like Foster, was limited in practice on Friday. I doubt that we will see much, if any, of Reed against the Fins with first rounder Whitney Mercilus waiting in the wings.
Defensive captain Brian Cushing and TE Owen Daniels were both limited on Thursday as well. Daniels was held back due to an illness, but is expected to be a full go on Sunday. Cushing took a shot in the ribs this week that has kept him from full participation since then. Like Daniels, expect to see Cush early and often against the Dolphins.
Special teamer and OLB Brian Braman will be out for week one after not practicing all week with a pulled hamstring.
The news is not all doom and gloom, Texans fans. J.J. Watt and Sean Cody will both be back on the field after missing significant time during the preseason.
For the Dolphins…
Brian Hartline has returned to practice for the first time during training camp and preseason. You will see him, but I can’t imagine he will look very good having only a week to get ready for this season.
John Jerry, their young right guard, has been limited in practice all week. But as shaky as the right side of the O-line has been during the preseason, I can’t imagine he won’t play in week one because of a sprained ankle. He is listed as probable.
Devotees of HBO’s Hard Knocks watched as Jake Long lay on the ground holding his knee after being rolled up on. But as he is the ONLY stable piece of the Dolphins’ offense, they need him as they take the field on Sunday. After missing practice on Monday, and being limited throughout practice for the rest of the week, he is listed as questionable.
Koa Misi has also been listed as probable for the Dolphins, which is a blessing. The Dolphins need every able body that they can get to try and plug the holes in their porous defense.
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