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Pregame: Cushing, Johnson back in the lineup for Texans
Inside linebacker Brian Cushing and receiver Andre Johnson are set to make their preseason debuts, but the Houston Texans will have four players not dressing for tonight’s game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Inside linebacker Greg Williams, receiver Jerrell Jackson, nose tackle Shaun Cody and defensive end J.J. Watt won’t play. Defensive end Tim Jamison will start in Watt’s place and nose tackle Earl Mitchell will start for Cody.
Watt and Cody are the only two starters of the group not dressing, both recovering from injuries sustained this summer. Watt is recovering from a dislocated elbow and Cody from a lower back strain. Both players hope to be ready before the regular season begins.
San Francisco will play without both of their starting outside linebackers Aldon Smith and Ahmad Brooks. Eric Bakhtiari will start for Smith and Parys Haralson will start for Brooks.
Linebackers Darius Fleming and Cam Johnson, tight end Delanie Walker, cornerback Anthony Mosley, cornerback Perrish Cox and receiver Joe Hastings will not dress for the 49ers either.
â€" Tania Ganguli
Pregame: Texans must get Arian and Andre going tonight
It’s about 1 hour and 40 minutes from gametime at Reliant Stadium. Many of the Texans are on the field limbering up for the preseason home opener against San Francisco.
Naturally, the roof is closed.
Traditionally, Texans preseason games are sold out, but a lot of seats are empty. I’m thinking that because fans are so fired up for the season, more than usual will attend this game. After all, the 49ers finished 13-3 last season and almost made the Super Bowl.
Could the Texans duplicate what the Niners did as far as record?
I’m eager to see a lot of things in this game.
First, I want to see if the Texans stink it up again in the red zone. They worked on it like crazy in practice, as they always do. One reason they didn’t do well is because Arian Foster wasn’t playing. When they’re successful in the red zone, it’s usually because they’re running well. And to run well, they need Foster. He’s going to get more carries tonight.
Second, I want to see receiver Andre Johnson play as much as coach Gary Kubiak wants and not get hurt. It would be nice if Johnson made a couple of catches, but, more important, is for him to play and show he won’t get injured.
I want to see if quarterback Matt Schaub looks better than the Carolina game, his first since the 10th game of the season when he suffered the foot injury. He needs to get them down the field and in the end zone on a couple of drives.
I want to see second-year right tackle Derek Newton in his first start. He’ll rotate with Rashad Butler, and they’re supposed to play the same number of plays, but with Butler they know what they have. With Newton they don’t because he’s young and inexperienced.
Right guard Antoine Caldwell played well against the Panthers. He needs to improve, though.
Rookie receiver Keshawn Martin, who has earned the third spot, will come off the bench tonight. I want to see if he continues to make progress. He could be one important contributor from what could be a terrific rookie class.
On defense, I want to see the continued progress of outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus as well as some of the backup defensive backs who have been impressive, like cornerback Brandon Harris, safety Shiloh Keo and safety Troy Nolan.
And, perhaps most important of all, the continued progress of rookie kicker Randy Bullock is paramount. He was impressive against the Panthers. Now he needs more opportunities. He’s going to be the kicker, and the more opportunities he gets in preseason, the better off he should be in regular season.
Now, let the game begin. I’ll be back around gametime.
â€" John McClain
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