Sounds like Green's knee injury isn't going away.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports...nt/5273212.html
Nov. 5, 2007, 1:06AM
Dayne still has legs to carry the load
Veteran barrels way to 124 yards, second-quarter TD
By MEGAN MANFULL
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle
Texans fan blog
TEXANS GAME CENTER
Week 9 in review — Check out the key play, team grades and more from the win over Oakland
OAKLAND, CALIF. — The more yards Ron Dayne accumulated Sunday, the more razzing he received from his teammates.
With the help of a block from Ephraim Salaam, Dayne went around left end for 39 yards in the third quarter of the Texans' 24-17 victory over the Oakland Raiders. He was pushed out of bounds 30 yards shy of the goal line.
Wide receiver Kevin Walter jokingly told Dayne the play should have been a 70-yard run for a touchdown. Dayne, who finished the day with 122 rushing yards, replied honestly by saying he just can't do that anymore.
"I'm like, 'I was almost full speed when I took off,' " Dayne said with a smile. "They were just messing with me."
Dayne, who did have a 14-yard touchdown run, told his teammates he leaves the 80-yard runs to Ahman Green. The 30- to 40-yard runs are more within his range, he said.
'Flat tire' for Green
Of course, Green doesn't have too many of those big runs in him either these days.
Green's right knee forced him out of another game, but not until he picked up 53 yards on a reception and had eight carries for 28 yards. He scored the team's first touchdown on an 8-yard carry.
"I hurt my knee against Kansas City, and it hasn't been right since," said Green, who left midway through the second quarter. "I feel like I've been playing with a flat tire all season. A car doesn't run right with a flat tire. Eventually, I'll get it fixed, but I don't think it'll be until after the season."
That's not good news for the Texans, who realize how valuable Green can be when he is healthy.
"We need him to finish games," right tackle Eric Winston said. "And if he can't do it, then we're going to have to turn to Ronnie. Ronnie and (Adimchinobe Echemandu) have to step up. If (Green) can't go and he can't finish, we might as well start Ronnie and those guys until he can get heal- thy.
"I think (Dayne) is a little underappreciated in what he does and what he sees out there. When that freight train gets going, it's hard to stop him."
Glad to contribute
Dayne, who has had just four career 100-yard rushing games, said he appreciates these big games when they come his way.
"Just to be able to get out there and show that I can still play," Dayne said. "There have been a couple of games where I had like 17 carries for like 40 yards — but I got all my first downs. I was just glad I was able to be part of it today."
megan.manfull@chron.com