Images from the Texans' organized team activities, which began Monday, May 21 and continue into June.
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THURSDAY, MAY 31
Houston Texans linebacker Brooks Reed runs through a line of blocking dummies during Texans organized team activities at The Methodist Training Center Thursday. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Texans rookie linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59) hits a blocking dummy during a drill, Mercilus impressed former Oilers coach Bum Phillips on Thursday. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans tackle Rashad Butler, left, runs through a blocking drill with tight end Phillip Supernaw. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans linebacker Shawn Loiseau (90) shakes water off his head after taking a water break. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans fullback Jason Ford (45) leads the way for running back Arian Foster, after Foster took a handoff from quarterback T.J. Yates (13). (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans running back Ben Tate (44) takes a handoff from quarterback John Beck. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans running back Arian Foster, left, takes a handoff from quarterback T.J. Yates. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans tight ends Phillip Supernaw (48) and Owen Daniels run through a blocking drill. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans linebacker Bradie James (53) dives on a loose ball. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans linebackers D.J. Bryant (63) and Shawn Loiseau (90) run through a fumble drill. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub, left, and center Chris Myers (55) walk to practice. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans punter Donnie Jones. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing (56) reaches up for a football during a tip drill. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans safety Danieal Manning (38) leaps during a tip drill. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) reaches up for a football during a drill. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) and cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) walk to the practice field. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Former Houston Oilers head coach Bum Phillips, left, talks to Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt during Texans organized team activities. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans quarterback T.J. Yates takes a break between drills during Texans organized team activities. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans rookie quarterback Case Keenum throws a pass during a drill. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans running back Arian Foster makes a catch. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans punter Donnie Jones works on his kicks. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 30
Houston Texans punter Brett Hartman, left, greets linebacker Darryl Sharpton (51) before practice during Texans organized team activities at The Methodist Training Center. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Texans wide receiver DeVier Posey stretches out during the Texans' OTAs. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Texans quarterback John Beck (12) hands the ball off to running back Ben Tate. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) lines up under center. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Texans linebacker Brian Cushing (56) makes a catch during a drill. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Texans punter Donnie Jones works on his form. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Texans quarterback T.J. Yates, left, hands the ball off to running back Arian Foster. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Texans tackle Duane Brown (76) leads the way for running back Arian Foster (23). (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Texans linebacker Bradie James (53) makes a catch during a drill. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Texans defensive ends J.J. Watt (99) and Antonio Smith (94) run through a drill. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Texans defensive end Jared Crick (93) and nose tackle Ra'Shon Harris run through a drill. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Texans wide receiver Keshawn Martin makes a catch. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Texans wide receiver DeVier Posey makes a catch. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Texans wide receiver Jeff Maehl (15) makes a catch. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Texans quarterback John Beck (12) throws a pass as wide receiver Kevin Walter (83) walks past. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Texans wide receiver Kevin Walter, center, kicks high while warming up. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Texans head coach Gary Kubiak watches his team warm up. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Texans wide receiver Keshawn Martin makes a catch. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Texans wide receiver Kevin Walter lines up to run a pass route. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Texans wide receiver Jeff Maehl (15) makes a catch. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Texans wide receivers Keshawn Martin (82), Juaquin Iglesias (19) and DeVier Posey (11) work with receivers coach Larry Kirksey. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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TUESDAY, MAY 29
Texans Whitney Mercilus (59) and Shawn Loiseau (90) walk out to the field before the start of the Houston Texans OTAs. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans rookie receiver Keshawn Martin makes a catch on the ground during a drill. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
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Texans rookie Hebron Fangupo, who was injured during the first week of OTAs, stacks footballs on the field before the start of practice. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
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Quarterback Matt Schaub surveys the field as he continues to come back from a foot injury that ended his 2011-12 season. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans defender Jesse Nading makes a catch during a drill. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans rookie Nick Mondek. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans rookie quarterback Case Keenum (7) walks onto the practice field (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans linebacker Bradie James (53) makes a catch during a drill. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing hauls in a ball during a drill. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans linebacker Bryan Braman tries to make a catch during a drill. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans rookie receiver DeVier Posey (11) makes a nice grab. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans receiver Trindon Holliday makes a catch. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texan J.J. Watt (99) walks out to the field. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
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Texans linebacker Darryl Sharpton warms up. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
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THURSDAY, MAY 24
Players make their way onto the field via the bridge over Kirby Drive. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
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Matt Schaub stretches before rehabbing during the Texans' Organized Team Activities (OTAs). (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
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Texans receiver Trindon Holliday catches a pass. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
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Texans receiver Andre Johnson watches his teammates work out with a towel on his head. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
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Rookie kicker Randy Bullock out of Texas A&M kicks a football during practice. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
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Texans receiver Andre Johnson watches his teammates work out with a towel on his head. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
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Texans Shawn Loiseau works during a drill. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
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Texans' D.J. Bryant grabs some water during a break in practice. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
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Texans outside linebacker Connor Barwin (98) runs around Bryan Braman (50). (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
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Texans' Jason Ford (45) catches a pass. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
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Texans receiver Keshawn Martin (82) catches a pass. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
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Texans head coach Gary Kubiak watches his players during drills. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
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Rookie kicker Randy Bullock out of Texas A&M kicks a football during practice. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle)
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Texans wide receiver Keshawn Martin makes a catch. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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TUESDAY, MAY 22
Houston Texans players run springs during warmups at Texans organized team activities at The Methodist Training Center Tuesday, May 22, 2012, in Houston. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans tackle Rashad Butler, left, and guard Antoine Caldwell line up for warmups during Texans organized team activities at The Methodist Training Center Tuesday, May 22, 2012, in Houston. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans tackle Duane Brown jogs to the next drill. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans rookie guard Brandon Brooks, left, runs a play with the third offense during Texans organized team activities. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans running backs Ben Tate, left, and Arian Foster run a blocking drill during Texans organized team activities. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans linebacker Connor Barwin runs a drill. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing runs a drill. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans nose tackle Earl Mitchell hits a blocking sled. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans rookie guard Brandon Brooks takes a break between drills. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans rookie guard Brandon Brooks, left, runs a blocking drill with center Chris Myers. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak watches practice. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson, right, looks on as wide receiver Jeff Maehl (15) makes a catch. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans wide receiver Lestar Jean makes a catch. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans wide receiver Jeff Maehl (15) makes a catch during Texans organized team activities at The Methodist Training Center Tuesday, May 22, 2012, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans wide receiver Keshawn Martin makes a catch. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans wide receiver Dwight Jones makes a catch. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans safety Glover Quinn (29) knocks the ball away from safety Shiloh Keo. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans safety Glover Quinn (29) knocks the ball away from safety Shiloh Keo. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans defensive backs coach Vance Joseph, left, puts his arm around cornerback Brandon Harris while coaching a defensive backs drill. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans linebackers coach Reggie Herring, center, runs a drill with linebackers D.J. Bryant (63) and Brooks Reed (58). (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans wide receiver Kevin Walter runs with the ball after making a catch. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans wide receiver Jeff Maehl makes a catch. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans wide receiver Trindon Holliday runs with the ball after making a catch. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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MONDAY, MAY 21
Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) walks to practice with his teammates Monday for the start of organized team activities. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson watches practice during Texans Organized Team Activities at The Methodist Training Center on May 21. Johnson will miss OTAs after having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee two weeks ago. He is expected to be back in time for training camp. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans rookie quarterback Case Keenum throws a pass during Texans Organized Team Activities on Monday. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans rookie wide receiver DeVier Posey makes a catch during Texans Organized Team Activities on May 21. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans players run sprints during Texans Organized Team Activities on May 21. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans wide receiver Lestar Jean (18) walks onto the practice field. Jean practiced with the first team in Andre Johnson's absence. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans running back Arian Foster stretches out during the first day of Organized Team Activities on Monday. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson watches practice. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans rookie nose tackle Hebron Fangupo runs a drill. He later was carted off with a knee injury. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans wide receiver Juaquin Iglesias (19) makes a catch during Texans Organized Team Activities. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans running back Arian Foster makes a catch during Texans Organized Team Activities. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans rookie outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus runs a drill during Texans Organized Team Activities. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans backup quarterback T.J. Yates throws a pass. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans rookie running back Davin Meggett (30) makes a catch during Texans Organized Team Activities. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans quarterback T.J. Yates throws a pass during Texans Organized Team Activities at The Methodist Training Center Monday, May 21, 2012, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans rookie wide receiver DeVier Posey makes a catch during Texans Organized Team Activities. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson watches practice during Texans Organized Team Activities at The Methodist Training Center Monday, May 21, 2012, in Houston. Johnson will miss OTAs after having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee two weeks ago. He is expected to be back in time for training camp. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans rookies Whitney Merciless (59), Desmond Marrow (34), and D.J. Bryant (63) walk onto the practice field. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans center Chris Myers (55) and quarterback Matt Schaub walk onto the practice field. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans kicker Randy Bullock (4), punter Shayne Graham (17) and long snapper Jon Weeks (46) talk before practice during Texans Organized Team Activities. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
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Houston Texans long snapper Jon Weeks (46) and rookie kicker Randy Bullock (4) get ready for practice. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)
The Texans have one new starter on the NFLâs second-ranked defense.
Unfortunately for Darryl Sharpton, heâs not the replacement for DeMeco Ryans.
Bradie James is.
Sharpton, who rotated with Ryans last season until he suffered a torn quadriceps tendon that ended his season, continues to rehab and prepare for his return in training camp.
âLast season, I felt I was playing at a high level and getting better every week,â Sharpton said after Thursdayâs OTA. âItâs been really frustrating, but itâs something thatâs going to make me stronger.
â(The injury) was a heartbreaker, a test of my character, but Iâve persevered in the past. Iâll continue to do my rehab and work as hard as I can.â
James, 31, played his first nine seasons with Dallas and led the Cowboys in tackles for six consecutive seasons. His head coach for 3½ seasons was Wade Phillips, Texans defensive coordinator. His linebackers coach was Reggie Herring, who has the same title with the Texans.
âIâm learning a lot from him,â Sharpton said about James. âHeâs a student of the game, and heâs got a lot of experience.â
When the Cowboys didnât invite James to return for a 10th season, he accepted an offer to be reunited with Phillips and Herring. With Ryansâ trade to Philadelphia and Sharptonâs injury, the Texans had an opening next to Brian Cushing.
James knows Phillipsâ 3-4 system better than any of his new defensive teammates, who played it for the first time last year.
âIt was a no-brainer for me to come here,â James said. âThe job is to build on what we did last year. Iâm just trying to fit in and be productive.
âThis (defense) is a hard-working group that flies to the ball. Theyâre very hungry and not complacent about what they did last year. Itâs a very confident group that needs to continue to be tenacious and dominate.â
James has finished his first six OTAs with the Texans. Heâs entrenched as the starter, and his coaches have confidence in him.
âWe feel like weâve gained back what we lost with DeMeco and then some, to be honest with you,â Herring said last week. âOn top of that, he knows our defense and knows how to run the show. And he brings a certain calm to our defense.â
Phillips is entrusting James (6-2, 246) with a lot of responsibility.
âThe guyâs a field general, the quarterback on the (defense),â Phillips said. âHe calls all the signals and all the audibles. Heâs familiar with what weâre doing and how we want it done and what changes we need to make in the heat of the battle.
âYou need a signal-caller that helps everybody, and Bradie does that. He can tell everybody, âHey, this is where weâre playing. I cover this guy; you cover that guy. The safetyâs got him.â
âHe knows the whole defense. A lot of players know their own position, but Bradie knows the whole defense. I donât see much difference in him than a year and a half ago.â
Thatâs when Phillips was fired as Cowboys coach midway through the 2010 season.
Phillips and Herring recommended James to coach Gary Kubiak.
âHeâs just what Reggie and Wade said he was,â Kubiak said. âHeâs a leader, a very sharp guy. He knows our defense inside out. Heâs got very good movement skills, and he fit in with the group right away.â
Meanwhile, Sharpton (5-11, 230) rides a stationary bike on the sideline during practice while James impresses his teammates and coaches.
âIt obviously hurts him,â Phillips said about Sharpton not being able to participate in OTAs. âBeing out there watching and being in the meetings is one thing, but being out on the field and doing it is something else.
âSome guys can watch and play, and other guys canât. He played real well for us last year, and weâre hoping he comes back.â
john.mcclain@chron.com
twitter.com/mcclain_on_nfl
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