Texans In-season Thread (1 Viewer)

Texans sign Demps to provide safety depthBy MEGAN MANFULLCopyright 2007 Houston Chronicle The Texans have agreed to a deal with veteran safety Will Demps, giving them a fourth free safety heading into their game against the Carolina Panthers this week.Demps, 27, will help fill the void left by Jason Simmons, who tore his left patellar tendon in the season opener.Demps has played in 73 games over the past five seasons. He had 100 tackles in 16 games for the New York Giants last season. He also had one forced fumble and two interceptions. A number of teams had been trying to acquire him in recent days. Demps will be playing behind C.C. Brown, Von Hutchins and Michael Boulware, who was acquired just last week. Demps has worked his way up throughout his whole career. He was a walk-on at San Diego State and became a two-time all-Mountain West first-team selection. He was then passed over in the NFL draft and signed with the Ravens as a free agent. He was so impressive during his first camp, however, that he played in 14 games with 10 starts as a rookie. In March 2006, Demps reportedly signed a five-year, $12 million contract as a free agent with the Giants. He struggled last season as the starter, however, and eventually lost his job to James Butler. Demps was placed on injured reserve with a dislocated right elbow when the rosters were cut to 53 on September 1. He later reached an injury settlement with the team and is expected to join the Texans on the practice field tomorrow

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saintfool said:

how quickly do you think that Demps could become the starter over the Borwn, Bouleware and Von Hutchins? Barring injury, do you see him starting?

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coolnerd said:

saintfool said:

how quickly do you think that Demps could become the starter over the Borwn, Bouleware and Von Hutchins? Barring injury, do you see him starting?

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Tough question at the moment, but I am guessing that healthy three would be some three man rotation of Demps, Brown , and Bouleware at safety. Based on what I have seen from them as NFL players I would not be shocked to see Boulware and Demps starting by mid-season, even though they are a significant upgrade over Brown that more familiar names would normally tend to suggest.

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laughinboy_2000 said:

Here's something you can put in the Texans Thread!The Texans are going to get SPANKED by the Panther's next week!

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All the news wasn't good, though. Receiver Andre Johnson, who had seven catches for 120 yards and two touchdowns, suffered a sprained posterior cruciate ligament in his knee. He was limping after the game and will undergo an MRI today to determine how long he'll be out, if he's out at all.

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coolnerd said:

Per chron.com

All the news wasn't good, though. Receiver Andre Johnson, who had seven catches for 120 yards and two touchdowns, suffered a sprained posterior cruciate ligament in his knee. He was limping after the game and will undergo an MRI today to determine how long he'll be out, if he's out at all.

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Andre Johnson, who hurt his left knee Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, is doubtful to play for the Texans when the team plays the Indianapolis Colts this Sunday at Reliant Stadium. The Texans had an MRI done on Johnson's knee Monday morning and it revealed a sprain.

"I would say that he is doubtful for that football game," Kubiak said. "We'll know more in the next couple of days. There was no swelling, but there's definitely a sprain there. It's a concern right now."

The initial diagnosis was that Johnson had strained his posterior cruciate ligament. He hurt it during a big hit that followed his last catch — a 10-yard grab — with 11:58 to go in the game.

"He has a knee sprain," Kubiak said. "That's the good news and the bad news. We feel fortunate. Andre is going to be fine. Is he going to be fine in one week? Or is he going to be fine in four weeks? We're still in the evaluation stage. We don't know."

Johnson currently ranks fourth in the league with 262 receiving yards on 14 catches. The next most productive receiver on the team is rookie Jacoby Jones with 33 receiving yards on two catches. Kevin Walter has two catches for 17 yards.

If Johnson can't go on Sunday, Andre' Davis will be activated.

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Head coach Gary Kubiak announced in his weekly press conference Monday that wide receiver Andre Johnson's sprained left knee suffered at Carolina could take him out of Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts and perhaps even longer.

Kubiak said he would list Johnson as "doubtful" for the upcoming game Deep Steel Sunday contest versus Indianapolis. The good news is that there is limited swelling in the knee.

Texans head athletic trainer Kevin Bastin spoke to reporters following Kubiak's press conference.

"He’s got a sprain to his knee," Bastin said of Johnson. "We’re fortunate that nothing from the MRI (exam) indicated that he needs any surgery. So that’s a good sign. He had just trace swelling on the knee, which was another good sign."

Bastin said Johnson injured his knee on his 10-yard catch in the fourth quarter of Sunday's win over the Panthers. Safety Chris Harris hit Johnson shortly after the reception, and Johnson bent back awkwardly. After a few moments on the ground, Johnson left the field and did not return. It was the last pass that the Texans attempted in the game.

"After seeing the film, it’s fortunate," Bastin said. "It could’ve been worse based on the way he was twisted around."

In the meantime, Johnson is wearing a brace for his knee. He'll be reevaluated by Bastin and the team physician, Dr. Walt Lowe, on Wednesday, when they'll have a better idea of Johnson's timetable for recovery.

"We’ll probably know more by mid-week just on how (Andre) responds to the immobilization and the treatment that we do for him," Bastin said. "Probably at this point for this weekend (versus Indianapolis) he would be questionable or doubtful for this week."

Kubiak hadn't spoken to Johnson prior to his 3:30 p.m. press conference, but Bastin described Johnson as positive upon hearing his temporary prognosis.

"He was typical Andre," Bastin said. "His demeanor doesn’t change a whole lot. He was encouraged. We told him last night our big thing we’re watching for is hopefully the knee doesn’t swell on us, and it didn’t. It had a little bit, but him knowing that, and coming in and saying, ‘Hey, my knee didn’t swell.’ He was just real positive about that."

Kubiak mentioned André Davis as the player that would replace Johnson as the fourth active wideout Sunday if Johnson cannot play. Davis was signed as a free agent this offseason from Buffalo. He has 14 career touchdowns in five NFL seasons.

Stay tuned to HoustonTexans.com for more details regarding the Texans' leading receiver.

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(on what the week means for WRs Jacoby Jones and Kevin Walter) “They practice a bunch anyway. Definitely if Andre (Johnson) is not able to go, then that picks up their reps. But as far as practice goes, they’re not going to do anything any different. The question I think that we’d have to answer is if Andre is unable to go, how are we going to go about it? Are we going to start Kevin and Jacoby? Are we going to leave both of those guys at the Z position and move Jerome (Mathis) or Andre (Davis) up to the X? So that’s something we’ll address, but as a staff, as we talked about it before I came down here, all four of those kids are going to play. They’re all young players and we’re going to have to- you know one of the things we said during training camp, and it’s funny how things work out, a lot of people wanted to know who our number two receiver is going to be. And my answer to you guys all the time was that I’m concerned about the group being good, not who’s going to be number two. So we’re fixing to find out if the group can pick up the slack if Andre’s going to miss some time.”

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(on WR Andre Johnson) “I’ll tell you, he’s been something. He really has and to be off to the start that he’s off to right now is exceptional, so I know it would be disappointing for him if he’s unable to go this week. But one thing I know about him, he’s such a worker. He’ll get back as quick as he can. He’ll make up for lost time. That’s what he’s all about. He’s played really well. I really like he’s running after the catch. That’s something that we talked about, him taking another step as a player, and I think he’s started to do that this year.”(on how he is going to tell the team about WR Andre Johnson) “Just like I just told you all. It’s not about replacing Andre or who’s playing go to play X. If Andre can’t play, it’s about everybody in this room doing something better. It starts with me, the coaches, the players. We will all have to make up the slack for Andre. Not one guy can do that.”(on if the team can respond to WR Andre Johnson’s injury) “I think good teams respond to those types of situations. Our guys will know what that’s like. We’ll dig down deep and we’re going to find a way. We’re going to find out. That’s part of this league. Everybody loses key players. You have to move on. It’s an opportunity for someone else to step up and do a job. It is what it is. The players will be able to look at each other. If Andre is unable to go, they know that we will have to play great team football this next weekend to have a chance against the Colts. I don’t think I have to tell them that. I think they understand that and they will expect to do that. I can tell you that.”(on if he spoke to WR Andre Johnson today) “You know what, I haven’t. I talked to Kevin (Bastin) a couple times. He was in earlier this morning. The bottom line right now is the fact that he did not swell. They immobilized him today and tomorrow and they will take another look at it on Wednesday morning and then we decide where we go from there.”

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(on WR Andre Davis) “Andre’s got speed. That’s what he can do. He can run and he can stretch the defense. He’s played and been successful in this league before and we know this is his kind of second go around or his second chance. So it’s a big opportunity for him as a player and he’s knows he’s going to be out there on the field if Andre Johnson cannot go. So I expect him to take advantage of his opportunity.”

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The obvious question: Will he play this Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts at Reliant Stadium?

“I don’t know,” Johnson said in his usual soft-spoken tone. “Right now, looking at it, I probably won’t. I’m just trying to get back healthy. It’s a sprain. It’s pretty much what we expected it was. I just have to wait until it heals up. I don’t know how long it’s going to take.

“I’m just going to take it day-by-day and week-by-week. I’m doing everything possible that I can do to get myself ready to be back on the field.”

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Three days after spraining his knee, Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson said he doesn't plan to play against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. He also added that he is not sure when he will be back in the starting lineup.

This week will mark the fourth time in Johnson's career that he has missed a start since being drafted in 2003.

"If you look at me right now, no, I won't be there out there Sunday," Johnson said. "I'm taking it day-by-day, week-by-week."

He's currently ranked fourth in the NFL with 262 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 14 receptions this season.

The Texans will now lean on rookie Jacoby Jones, Kevin Walter, Jerome Mathis and Andre' Davis. Jones and Walter have combined for four catches and 50 receiving yards in the first two games. Mathis doesn't have a reception this season and Davis has been inactive for the first two contests.

It's frustrating for Johnson, who has waited his entire career to play in a game of such importance. The Colts and Texans are both 2-0 and playing for first-place in the division.

"It's bad," Johnson said. "It's frustrating. After it happened, I was like, 'Man, this is something we've been waiting for for a long time - starting off 2-0 and have the World Champs coming in.' To have this happen was frustrating. But it's part of the game. When you're out there playing, you don't expect it to happen.

"I'll probably be the team's biggest cheerleader (Sunday). I'm just going to go out and encourage these guys as much as I can."

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JOHNSON IS EXPECTED TO MISS FIVE WEEKSAlthough the injured knee of Texans receiver Andre Johnson is scheduled to be re-examined on Friday, the current scuttlebutt is that he'll miss five weeks.We're not saying he'll miss five weeks -- we're only saying that that's the scuttlebutt. (It's the same thing as Mort saying that his report about Eli Manning missing a month wasn't wrong because his sources truly thought he would miss a month, but in this case we're disclosing that fact before, not after, the story is proven to be wr-wr-wr-wr-bullcaacaa.)If he misses five weeks, he'll be back for the October 28 game at San Diego.

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(on if WR Kevin Walter and WR Jacoby Jones will start Sunday) “You know, I haven’t made that decision yet. We’re just going to keep working all four of them. They’re all going to play. They’re probably going to rotate every two plays together, (to) keep them fresh.”

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coolnerd said:

I know someone will start a thread, but from pft.com ...and yes they are merely mongering this RUMOR.

JOHNSON IS EXPECTED TO MISS FIVE WEEKSAlthough the injured knee of Texans receiver Andre Johnson is scheduled to be re-examined on Friday, the current scuttlebutt is that he'll miss five weeks.We're not saying he'll miss five weeks -- we're only saying that that's the scuttlebutt. (It's the same thing as Mort saying that his report about Eli Manning missing a month wasn't wrong because his sources truly thought he would miss a month, but in this case we're disclosing that fact before, not after, the story is proven to be wr-wr-wr-wr-bullcaacaa.)If he misses five weeks, he'll be back for the October 28 game at San Diego.

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(on who will start at wide receiver) “I’m going to start Kevin (Walter) and Jacoby (Jones). So we’ll start them two, but we’ll play all four of them, as I told you. We’re going to have a rotation system, and it will take all four of them for us to be successful without Andre (Johnson) in there. So we’ll get them all ready to go.” (on why WR Jacoby Jones gets the start) “I think he’s earned the right. He’s played extremely well. He was working as our third. We came out here and wanted to see how he responded to this opportunity in practice this week, and he’s been very good. He’s gotten better each day he’s been out here, so the kid deserves a chance. And we’ll go get after it.”

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(on if there are any updates on WR Andre Johnson) “Actually, they are going to visit with him today. The doctor is coming over today. They’ll take the immobilizer off and see where he’s at. But we’re just keeping our fingers crossed that they’ll walk out with some good news. ”

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coolnerd said:

and no new on Andre Johnson's status

(on if there are any updates on WR Andre Johnson) “Actually, they are going to visit with him today. The doctor is coming over today. They’ll take the immobilizer off and see where he’s at. But we’re just keeping our fingers crossed that they’ll walk out with some good news. ”

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(on the Texans’ injuries) “I’m going to be pretty vague here. (RB) Ahman (Green) has a knee sprain, or a knee strain. He’ll be evaluated and have an MRI this afternoon. (DT) Cedric Killings, when he was on the field, he was moving everything, he was talking to me, he called out to his teammates a couple times. He has a big cut under his right eye. He was in a big collision. That’s about all I know right now. He’s at Methodist (Hospital). We’ll put him through a series of tests tonight. All indications appear to be real positive. We’ll see how that comes out. (WR) Andre’ Davis dislocated a finger. (WR) Jacoby Jones has an AC separation. He’ll be evaluated in the next couple of days. I can tell he’ll miss some time. © Steve McKinney has a knee sprain. It was thought to be pretty serious initially, but he actually did go back in the game, so that’s a positive sign. We’ve got some guys beat up and I don’t have a lot of answers for you. I’m sorry. We should have more for you tomorrow as we work through these guys tonight.”

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coolnerd said:

This is Kubiak's post-game quote on Houston's numerous injuries

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=3671

(on the Texans’ injuries) “I’m going to be pretty vague here. (RB) Ahman (Green) has a knee sprain, or a knee strain. He’ll be evaluated and have an MRI this afternoon. (DT) Cedric Killings, when he was on the field, he was moving everything, he was talking to me, he called out to his teammates a couple times. He has a big cut under his right eye. He was in a big collision. That’s about all I know right now. He’s at Methodist (Hospital). We’ll put him through a series of tests tonight. All indications appear to be real positive. We’ll see how that comes out. (WR) Andre’ Davis dislocated a finger. (WR) Jacoby Jones has an AC separation. He’ll be evaluated in the next couple of days. I can tell he’ll miss some time. © Steve McKinney has a knee sprain. It was thought to be pretty serious initially, but he actually did go back in the game, so that’s a positive sign. We’ve got some guys beat up and I don’t have a lot of answers for you. I’m sorry. We should have more for you tomorrow as we work through these guys tonight.”

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Ted Lange as your Bartender said:

coolnerd said:

This is Kubiak's post-game quote on Houston's numerous injuries

http://www.houstontexans.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=3671

(on the Texans’ injuries) “I’m going to be pretty vague here. (RB) Ahman (Green) has a knee sprain, or a knee strain. He’ll be evaluated and have an MRI this afternoon. (DT) Cedric Killings, when he was on the field, he was moving everything, he was talking to me, he called out to his teammates a couple times. He has a big cut under his right eye. He was in a big collision. That’s about all I know right now. He’s at Methodist (Hospital). We’ll put him through a series of tests tonight. All indications appear to be real positive. We’ll see how that comes out. (WR) Andre’ Davis dislocated a finger. (WR) Jacoby Jones has an AC separation. He’ll be evaluated in the next couple of days. I can tell he’ll miss some time. © Steve McKinney has a knee sprain. It was thought to be pretty serious initially, but he actually did go back in the game, so that’s a positive sign. We’ve got some guys beat up and I don’t have a lot of answers for you. I’m sorry. We should have more for you tomorrow as we work through these guys tonight.”

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That's quite a bit of carnage there

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Texans wide receiver Jacoby Jones started the first game of his NFL career in Sunday's 30-24 loss to the Colts. Now he will have to watch the next two or three from the sidelines.

Jones separated his shoulder after his 74-yard punt return in the third quarter. Colts punter Hunter Smith ran Jones out of bounds and fell on top of him on the sidelines, driving Jones' shoulder into the grass.

"I thought I fell on it bad and banged it or bruised it," Jones said. "But when I tried to move it, I could hear it. It didn't sound right. I knew something was wrong."

Jones had two punt returns for 86 yards. He also had three catches for 26 yards and one 3-yard carry that gave the Texans a critical first down.

Jones had an MRI on Sunday evening but said prior to it that he would likely be out two or three weeks.

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Texans running back Ahman Green underwent an MRI on his knee and said the team had good news.

"It's nothing bad," Green said, "just swelling. I'm taking it one day at a time."

Green injured his left knee Sept. 16 against the Carolina Panthers. He tried to play through the pain Sunday against the Colts, but left the game at the start of the second quarter.

Green, 30, said he does not know if he will be able to play against Atlanta this week.

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Pittsburgh United said:

So which WR will be getting the targets now?

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Center Steve McKinney cannot believe the timing of it all. During five losing — and often hopeless — seasons, McKinney was on the offensive line trying to help lift the Texans to respectability.

If the Texans finally do record their first winning record this season, McKinney will be forced to watch from the sidelines.

During the 30-24 loss to the Colts on Sunday, McKinney suffered the first serious injury of his NFL career when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. He must undergo season-ending surgery, and will be replaced in the starting lineup by 12-year veteran Mike Flanagan.

"This is the worst possible thing that could happen," said McKinney, the franchise's first free agent. "Right when we've turned this thing around and we're starting to win, this happens. I can't tell you how bad this makes me feel."

The rest of the Texans will try to help McKinney experience that first winning season. But the task just got tougher this week. Injuries have mounted on offense, forcing the team to hope the running game can function with its top two backs beat up.

The team is going to re-sign wide receiver David Anderson and will have one roster spot available because Cedric Killings (fractured vertebra) and McKinney will be placed on Injured Reserve.

Coach Gary Kubiak said he is confident backup running back Ron Dayne (bruised ribs) will be able to play this weekend against Atlanta.

Ahman Green, who hasn't finished the last two games with a bruised knee, received positive news from an MRI, but said he doesn't know if he will be able to play Sunday. Tests revealed no damage to the knee.

"It's just sore," Green said. "(The MRI showed) nothing bad, just swelling. I'm grateful for that."

Kubiak said Green bruised the knee against Kansas City in the season opener, and it has gotten worse.

He is hopeful Green will start. If not, Dayne will fill in and Samkon Gado will back him up.

Of more immediate concern is the wide receiver position. Jacoby Jones will be out two to three weeks with a separated shoulder. He started the first game of his career against the Colts, filling in for Andre Johnson, who is out with a knee sprain.

Johnson will not return this week, either. Sunday was the first time he was allowed to bend his knee since suffering the sprain Sept. 16 against the Carolina Panthers.

Johnson sprained the posterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament in his left knee, and must wait until they both heal.

"It's like I'm learning to walk normally again," Johnson said. "I've been in a brace for the whole week. Now, I have slack in my brace where I can bend my knee."

André Davis, who dislocated his finger Sunday, is likely going to start opposite Kevin Walter against Atlanta. Davis had a solid outing against the Colts, catching four passes for 70 yards.

To help soften the blow of the injuries, the Texans are trying to focus on who will play rather than who won't.

"I think the coaches have done a good job because we've already had meetings, and he just barely mentioned, 'OK, these guys are hurt, next guys in line come on and step up,' " defensive end N.D. Kalu said. "We didn't dwell on it. The coaches didn't dwell on it.

"I think if the players saw the coaches shaking their heads and looking nervous, then it would trickle down to the players, but we didn't see that in meetings today and I think it'll show when we play Atlan

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PACKER 7 said:

Was I imagining or did Andre Davis' catches all come in the 2nd half? If so he could be gold for the next few weeks. The guy looked solid and they have no one else to throw to. Also Schaub proved to me that it ain't about the WRs he has. This guy makes plays no matter who is catching.Actually I just checked and Davis had one catch in the 3rd for 41 yards, and then all other 3 came in the 4th. After J. Jones injury.Walter was targeted quite a bit also, but Davis and Schaub seemed to have a connection late in the game.

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12345678 said:

PACKER 7 said:

Was I imagining or did Andre Davis' catches all come in the 2nd half? If so he could be gold for the next few weeks. The guy looked solid and they have no one else to throw to. Also Schaub proved to me that it ain't about the WRs he has. This guy makes plays no matter who is catching.Actually I just checked and Davis had one catch in the 3rd for 41 yards, and then all other 3 came in the 4th. After J. Jones injury.Walter was targeted quite a bit also, but Davis and Schaub seemed to have a connection late in the game.

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When did Davis injure the finger?

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garyd said:

How bad is the loss of McKinney going to be felt?

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The Hank said:

Cool Nerd, what are your prospects for Kevin Walter this week?

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coolnerd said:

The Hank said:

Cool Nerd, what are your prospects for Kevin Walter this week?

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the staff likes this guy, but he has not shown the ability to get open or anything above average hands. IMO anything more 4 catches 45 yards is bonus.

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coolnerd said:

No linkage yet, but Jerome Mathis has some sort of lower leg injury and did not practice on Thursday. At the moment he looks doubtful for Sunday.

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packersfan said:

coolnerd said:

No linkage yet, but Jerome Mathis has some sort of lower leg injury and did not practice on Thursday. At the moment he looks doubtful for Sunday.

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Update on Dayne/Green?

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coolnerd said:

packersfan said:

coolnerd said:

No linkage yet, but Jerome Mathis has some sort of lower leg injury and did not practice on Thursday. At the moment he looks doubtful for Sunday.

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Update on Dayne/Green?

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Dayne is a Yes,Green is no if the decision was made today, but wait until gametime.

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garyd said:

How bad is the loss of McKinney going to be felt?

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(on the injury report) “The only questions for our team, I would say, are going to be (RB) Ahman (Green) and (WR) Jerome (Mathis). The bottom line is those guys have not practices so it does not look good for either one of them, but they will be game time decisions. I would think that right now, Ahman would have more of a chance of possible playing then Jerome Mathis.”

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on injuries and QB Matt Schaub) I don’t have a list here in front of me, but as far as coming out of the game, Matt’s got a thigh bruise but he should be fine. Other than that, we came out OK other than the normal bumps and bruises. And then of course, we’ll talk about the guys that have been out. Andre (Johnson)’s still day-to-day and I think Ahman (Green)’s the same, Jerome (Mathis)’s the same, so nothing’s really changed with those guys. I know that Andre’s doing a lot better. I think they looked at it and then they see the healing process taking place, so it’s all good news from that standpoint. When he steps back on the field, I think, is still day-to-day.”

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(on if RB Ahman Green is close to being healthy) “Yeah, I think he’s close. Will he be out there Wednesday? I don’t know. I know he’s doing better. I spoke to him earlier today; we’ll just continue to treat him and we’ll know more when we step on the football field Wednesday if he comes out there and practices.”(on WR Jacoby Jones) “Jacoby is better. We’re hoping, we’ve got our fingers crossed that he may play this week. We’re not going to know. He had a procedure done today, I don’t know exactly what it is, where they inject the shoulder, from a healing standpoint. And he is making progress. We’ve got our fingers crossed that he will be a part of everything we’re doing this week, but probably won’t know until we put him on the practice field.”

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(on WR Andre Johnson’s recovery) “He’s doing good. Like I said, the pictures that they’ve taken here lately show that the healing is taking palce. All indications are good. But now it’s a matter of getting him back to work. So when Kevin (Bastin)’s ready to do that and how we go about that will be determined here very shortly, but he’s very close to getting ready to start doing something again. Whether that means jumping on the field this week, I don’t know.”

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The Texans finally have pinpointed what is wrong with Jerome Mathis' left leg, and it's enough to likely sideline him for the rest of the season.

After almost two days of testing, team doctors found a ''hot spot'' in the lower part of his leg, which is causing excruciating pain for Mathis during and after running. The Texans are expected to place Mathis, 24, on injured reserve and sign wide receiver Harry Williams off the practice squad for the game against Miami on Sunday at Reliant Stadium.

''He has a stress-related issue in his lower leg,'' coach Gary Kubiak said Friday. ''Our issue right now is trying to make a decision of how long it's going to be before he can get back on the field. As you all know, we have tough, tough situations going on at wide receiver with a couple of other guys out. So now this is three."

The Texans are awaiting the return of Andre Johnson and Jacoby Jones. Johnson (knee sprain) migtht miss two more starts. Jones (separated shoulder) likely will miss at least one more.

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