Kubiak discusses team's injuries

[CloakNNNdagger]

Houston Texans Coach Gary Kubiak discusses team's injuries
09/23/11 6:06PM
Jennifer Armstrong, The Times-Picayune

Provided by the Houston Texans, here's a transcript of Coach Gary Kubiak's Friday press conference. The Texans will play the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at the Superdome.


On if RB Arian Foster will play Sunday

"It'll be a game-time decision. He practiced today much like he did yesterday. He took a limited amount of reps, but he was involved in the whole practice. We'll watch him tomorrow morning when we watch him go through our jog-through, see where he's at and probably actually put him through a little workout before the game."

On WR Jacoby Jones' and WR Kevin Walter's injuries

"Jacoby (Jones) took his practice today. It looks like we're heading in the right direction with him. Kevin's (Walter) been fine all week, guys."

On if expects WR Kevin Walter to be at full speed on Sunday

"Yeah, he's been fine. Kevin's (Walter) been fine."

On if he might play RB Arian Foster differently on Sunday to err on the side of caution

"No, I think you either play or you don't play. I mean either he's ready to go, if that's what you're asking. We need Arian (Foster), as I tell ya'll all the time, to have our best everybody on the football field, but at the same time we're listening to Arian. As we put him through some work, we listen to him the next morning. How you feeling? Listen to the doctors and we'll come up with the best decision for the football team on Sunday morning."

On if RB Arian Foster has been honest about his injury

"Yeah, he's been good and like I said, we're just trying to make sure we keep the work process going. He's had good work this week, but we have limited him a little bit in practice, not to overload him and we're going to see how he responds to that."

On if practice squad RB Chris Ogbonnaya is an option for Sunday

"Chris (Ogbonnaya) is inactive. We'd have to activate Chris. It's a possibility, yeah. We have not made that decision."

On the stats and records not meaning anything

"I agree. It's just about being as good as you can be each week. We're playing a very difficult schedule and then they're the next team up. They're an excellent football team and been a world champion here not far long. We've just got to go out there and see if we can be our best every week and just find a way to find our games. We're not caught up in where we're at right now or where we've been in the past. How good can this team be? So, we're just staying focused on that. We've had a good week of work and boy, have we got a challenge ahead of us, but we're excited to go play."

On if it's a coincidence that the Texans are leading the League in total defense and rushing attempts

"Well those things go hand-in-hand. When you run the ball and I think time of possession-wise, we're one or two in the League. You keep your defense off the field. That's how you win football games. I don't know that I've ever had a quarterback throw it 53 times in the first two games of the season, but when we're throwing it 25, 26 times, good things are happening for our team."

On if he believes in statement games

"I think it's about the season; it's not about a game. This is the next one. Ever since I've been in this business, every one you play is the biggest game of the year, so let's just keep going."

On how he's going to handle T Rashad Butler's injury

"Yeah, (Derek) Newton steps up and he becomes a swing guy. He's a young player with a lot of talent. Now he's being pushed into a lot of activity, so we need to see him get better, but that's the only way you find out if he can do it."

On Saints RB Darren Sproles

"He's got a chance of making huge plays. The kicking game will be big in this game in my opinion. It's been big for us. It's been big for them early in the season, so big challenge."

On if RB Steve Slaton will play a big role in pass protection

"Well yeah, whoever's in there at running back is going to get tested. They're going to come get you and you're going to have to step up and pick up protection, whether it's a linebacker, whether it's a DB. That'll be part of this game for sure. Like I said, hopefully we can stay on schedule to where we're not too predictable. If you get too predictable against this team, they're going to come get you."

On if CB Brandon Harris might make his debut on Sunday

"Good chance. Very good chance, yeah."



I continue to see the approach with Arian Foster not coming to a good end if he is brought back early.

I'll be curious to see if Jacoby is out there with a stabilizing hinge knee brace.

If Walters gets hit hard with his right arm up in the air, I will be looking to see how he reacts in terms of subsequent play.

[Hardcore Texan]

Probably just need to sit Foster this week and make sure he has time to heal.

Looking forward to seeing Harris on the field. Hopefully Jacoby and Walter play at full speed and avoid re-injury.

[EllisUnit]

last season and such i wouldnt have blinked an eye if Jacoby was out, but i feel we need him this week. I feel we will be at a BIG disadvantage without him.

[b0ng]

Excited to see NoFlyZone back there.

[TimeKiller]

Why is Harris getting a chance now? I guess they didn't like what Jason Allen brought to the table last week. The guy IS one of the more highly touted CBs to come out this year, so I think we're all a little curious to see what's up and especially if it can come against guys like Drew Brees and his crew.

I still think Allen has among, if not the best ball skills in the CB stable, I wonder if he would be any good as a KR to give Manning a break? Our safety duo is nice and nice and while DM is a good KR I think it helps him stay fresh if once a game he doesn't have to run a kick back.

[CretorFrigg]

Originally Posted by TimeKiller

Why is Harris getting a chance now? I guess they didn't like what Jason Allen brought to the table last week. The guy IS one of the more highly touted CBs to come out this year, so I think we're all a little curious to see what's up and especially if it can come against guys like Drew Brees and his crew.

I don't believe playing Harris will take away field time for Jason Allen. Harris is probably going to take the place of Brice McCain. Man, I get nervous whenever I see McCain on the field, especially when they're playing man coverage. Hopefully, Harris will put that to ease.

[Austrian]

Harris got activated because Sherrik McManis is injured.

[thunderkyss]

Originally Posted by CretorFrigg

I don't believe playing Harris will take away field time for Jason Allen. Harris is probably going to take the place of Brice McCain. Man, I get nervous whenever I see McCain on the field, especially when they're playing man coverage. Hopefully, Harris will put that to ease.

McCain has been pretty close to awesome this year. Looking like he did in 2009.

It's still early, but I can see why Vance & Wade love t he kid.

[CloakNNNdagger]

Originally Posted by thunderkyss

McCain has been pretty close to awesome this year. Looking like he did in 2009.

It's still early, but I can see why Vance & Wade love t he kid.

He plays taller than he is.

[Runner]

A thread about Kubiak discussing injuries. I've never taken LSD, but I imagine a discussion of a Kubiak injury discussion must be something like an LSD trip.

[kiwitexansfan]

Looking forward to seeing what Harris brings to the table too.

I love defensive backs and look forward to the day we acquire a true game changer back there.

[drs23]

Originally Posted by thunderkyss

McCain has been pretty close to awesome this year. Looking like he did in 2009.

It's still early, but I can see why Vance & Wade love t he kid.

I've liked the way he's played this year as well. Night & day difference from last season. Coaching anyone?

That being said I'm still not real sure about him or Harris on Sproles in the slot. Could be some 'earn while ya learn' going on there. Hope it's not ugly.

[Hervoyel]

Maybe I missed it but I would have thought the Butler situation would have rated a mention. He's only our backup RT AND LT.

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by Hervoyel

Maybe I missed it but I would have thought the Butler situation would have rated a mention. He's only our backup RT AND LT.

Yeah you missed it...

On how he's going to handle T Rashad Butler's injury

"Yeah, (Derek) Newton steps up and he becomes a swing guy. He's a young player with a lot of talent. Now he's being pushed into a lot of activity, so we need to see him get better, but that's the only way you find out if he can do it."

[badboy]

McCain has responded to better coaching and is having a good season so far. Harris should do well.

[TexCanada]

We really just need to sit Foster for a week or two, or however long it takes to get fully fit. No more messing around with this thing.

[DocBar]

Originally Posted by TexCanada

We really just need to sit Foster for a week or two, or however long it takes to get fully fit. No more messing around with this thing.

I agree with Senor Canuck on this one. Better to miss 1 or 2 more weeks than possibly half, or the rest of the season.

[Farough]

What TexCanada said, I'd rather have him 100% for 12 games then I would have him less than that for 15

[DocBar]

PFT says he won't play today. LINK

Texans running back Arian Foster didn’t play in Week One with a hamstring injury. And he likely wont play in Week Three.

Bob Holtzmann of ESPN reports that signs are pointing to Foster not playing at New Orleans. Separately, we’ve heard from a league source that Foster is not expected to play.

The 2010 NFL rushing leader practiced on a limited basis Thursday and Friday, raising hopes that he would be available. He is officially listed as questionable.

Ben Tate, who has rushed for more than 100 yards in each of the first two games of the season, will start in Foster’s absence.

Foster initially injured the hamstring during the first practice of training camp. He has since aggravated it twice, most recently against the Dolphins in Week Two.

[Farough]

I thought that the hamstring had gotten tight last week? That doesn't necessarily mean that he had aggravated again does it? Maybe I missed some posts throughout the week or they just haven't told the whole truth about it.