Casey to return against Titans

[Wolf]

HOUSTON—Joel Dreessen and rookie Anthony Hill filled in at tight end last week in Houston's first game since a season-ending knee injury to star Owen Daniels.

When the Texans return from their bye with a game against Tennessee next Monday night, they hope to have versatile rookie James Casey back to contribute at the position after arthroscopic knee surgery.

"There's no doubt in my mind that I'll play," Casey said Monday after returning to practice exactly two weeks since surgery on his right knee. "It's going to take something very severe to keep me from playing."

While most of the Texans spent their bye week traveling and relaxing, Casey was at Reliant Stadium rehabilitating his injured knee. The fifth-round pick spent 3-4 hours a day in the training room, doing everything he could to get his knee back into playing shape.

Casey has appeared in all but one game this season and has become a key special teams player for the Texans. He injured his knee Oct. 4 against the Raiders, but played the next four games before opting for surgery to repair cartilage damage.

He's looking forward to getting back on the field healthier and without the large brace he's worn since the Oakland game.

"My knee was hurting to start with and then to have that big brace, my mobility was really cut down," he said. "I'm really excited about getting that big brace off and being able to move around like I know I can."

Dreessen will likely start against the Titans, but the Texans plan to get Casey more involved in the offense with Daniels out. Daniels was a major part of Houston's offense before the injury and led all tight ends with 519 yards receiving. He remains the team's second-leading receiver and his five touchdown receptions lead the Texans despite being out since Houston's win over Buffalo two games ago.

Also on Monday, receiver and returner Jacoby Jones missed practice because of a calf injury. It was unclear which leg was injured. Kubiak said it was a bit sore after Houston's game against Indianapolis and he was having it checked after returning from the break with swelling.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/texas/ci_13801171

[CloakNNNdagger]

Good, we can re-introduce 3 TE sets.

[Norg]

YAY the lights are on bright lets see what u can do CASEY !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Imatexanfan]

Umm who the hell is James Casey?!

[TimeKiller]

Be honest though, it was nice to see Anthony Hill catch and run (and drag 4 guys with him). Joel is a good player but he doesn't have the athletic ability of JC (or OD). Really excited to see if Casey lives up to the hype.

[Texan_Bill]

Originally Posted by Imatexanfan

Umm who the hell is James Casey?!

[50boys]

Originally Posted by Imatexanfan

Umm who the hell is James Casey?!

You probably don't know him by his government name... Does Thor ring a bell?

[HOU-TEX]

Originally Posted by TimeKiller

Be honest though, it was nice to see Anthony Hill catch and run (and drag 4 guys with him). Joel is a good player but he doesn't have the athletic ability of JC (or OD). Really excited to see if Casey lives up to the hype.

I'm not sure how much hype's involved with a 5th rounder, but the dude has got some hands. After going to TC practices and watching him throughout preseason, I'm not sure if he even dropped a ball. We all know how good OD is, Casey has the hands to be just as good, if not better.

[badboy]

I hope Casey lives up to the hype but I am more interested in JJ's return. He has turned into a pretty good receiver and I was unsure if I'd ever be able to say that. Hopefully Slaton can use Jacoby as a role model in curing his fumble problem.

[TheRealJoker]

Casey will give us another option on 3rd downs and we need him to step up as a security blanket along with Dreesen and Anderson.

I think the coaching staff is planning on distributing OD's impact like this:

3rd down conversions: Get the ball to Dreesen, Casey or David Anderson when we would've gotten it to OD.

Big plays: Get the ball to Jacoby, Kevin Walter or Andre Davis when we would've hit OD for a 20+ yard pass. Walter should become a larger factor in the redzone offense as well.

I'd like to see Hill in for more than the 6 or 7 offensive plays he had last week. I think he could be a very important piece in solving the run blocking puzzle. Plus he's a threat to get decent yards in the passing game as well which he showed last week. But most importantly we need him blocking.

[El Tejano]

Originally Posted by badboy

I hope Casey lives up to the hype but I am more interested in JJ's return. He has turned into a pretty good receiver and I was unsure if I'd ever be able to say that. Hopefully Slaton can use Jacoby as a role model in curing his fumble problem.

Hopefully JJ is showing some leadership and is approaching Slaton about how to fix that.

[CloakNNNdagger]

Originally Posted by El Tejano

Hopefully JJ is showing some leadership and is approaching Slaton about how to fix that.

Slaton: JJ, what advice can you give to me on my fumbling problem? I need your help desperately!

JJ: Try holding on to the ball, Steve.

[El Tejano]

We need JJ for this game. We have to have somewhat of a dual threat for AJ to go off.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by TheRealJoker

Casey will give us another option on 3rd downs and we need him to step up as a security blanket along with Dreesen and Anderson.

I think the coaching staff is planning on distributing OD's impact like this:

3rd down conversions: Get the ball to Dreesen, Casey or David Anderson when we would've gotten it to OD.

Big plays: Get the ball to Jacoby, Kevin Walter or Andre Davis when we would've hit OD for a 20+ yard pass. Walter should become a larger factor in the redzone offense as well.

I'd like to see Hill in for more than the 6 or 7 offensive plays he had last week. I think he could be a very important piece in solving the run blocking puzzle. Plus he's a threat to get decent yards in the passing game as well which he showed last week. But most importantly we need him blocking.

I like what you say about Hill. Most are concentrating on Casey which is ok if he can block, but I'd like to see Hill catch then bull dog for a few more (as long as he does not get Slaton's disease).

[badboy]

Originally Posted by El Tejano

Hopefully JJ is showing some leadership and is approaching Slaton about how to fix that.

Hopefully, but I think Slaton is in a mental daze. Many thought he would be drafted first round and then went in third. He had a great year and everyone was SS this and SS that and then a few months later he is being benched. No one told him in college that he had to use both hands to protect the ball and maybe he didn't. That was then and this is now.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by CloakNNNdagger

Slaton: JJ, what advice can you give to me on my fumbling problem? I need your help desperately!

JJ: Try holding on to the ball, Steve.

More like "Steve, I know you have always grabbed the rock and then your feet go to instincts, me too, but I learned if I did not grab with both hands and hold on, I'd be jumping into my mama's arms after I successfully scored a tip after sacking the groceries." Something like that could be said.

[TimeKiller]

Originally Posted by HOU-TEX

I'm not sure how much hype's involved with a 5th rounder, but the dude has got some hands. After going to TC practices and watching him throughout preseason, I'm not sure if he even dropped a ball. We all know how good OD is, Casey has the hands to be just as good, if not better.

Well he's pretty highly thought of around here, not to mention his whole page in the draft section of Sports Illustrated or all the "HEY ROOKIE" shows that come up on the ht.com/tv stuff. He's got hands like OD, he's built like OD and he's hungry to prove himself...like OD. Imagine having both of those guys on the field at the same time DAMN YOU SHANAHAN FOR NEVER DOING THAT!!!!!!!!!!

That catch and run of Hill's was impressive. Didn't notice him blocking really but don't tell me we can't use a guy who can freight train 4 defenders for a couple extra yards once or twice a game.

[gtexan02]

Originally Posted by TimeKiller

Well he's pretty highly thought of around here, not to mention his whole page in the draft section of Sports Illustrated or all the "HEY ROOKIE" shows that come up on the ht.com/tv stuff. He's got hands like OD, he's built like OD and he's hungry to prove himself...like OD. Imagine having both of those guys on the field at the same time DAMN YOU SHANAHAN FOR NEVER DOING THAT!!!!!!!!!!

That catch and run of Hill's was impressive. Didn't notice him blocking really but don't tell me we can't use a guy who can freight train 4 defenders for a couple extra yards once or twice a game.

Everyone is forgetting that Bruener was capable of doing exactly what Hill did. Its just that:
1) he didn't run good routes
2) he didn't have good hands


...like Hill