Coming off the first playoff appearance in franchise history, the Houston Texans are setting their sights even higher.
A strong ground game and a tough defense - along with a healthy Matt Schaub under center - are big reasons for that optimism, but key members from both units are in doubt for Sunday's season opener.
Star rusher Arian Foster and starting linebacker Brooks Reed are question marks as Houston tries to improve to 7-0 all-time against the visiting Miami Dolphins, who look for Joe Philbin to get them on track in his first season as coach.
A year after dealing with lengthy injury absences to Schaub and five-time Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson, Houston begins this season with health issues involving two more key players. Foster has a sore knee, Reed has a sore hip and both missed practice Friday.
Coach Gary Kubiak said they'll be "game-time" decisions against Miami, though he's "optimistic" that both will be ready to play.
Ben Tate would start for Foster, who averaged a league-high 141.6 scrimmage yards and scored 12 touchdowns last season despite missing three games. The 2010 rushing champion signed a five-year, $43.5 million extension in March and is expected to carry the load again despite the emergence of Tate, who ran for 942 yards as a rookie last year.
First-round draft pick Whitney Mercilus would get the call in place of Reed, who had six sacks during his 2011 rookie season.
Last year, the Texans lost Schaub to a foot injury in Week 10 and played nine regular-season games without Johnson, but earned their first playoff berth behind a formidable rushing attack and an impressive defensive turnaround under coordinator Wade Phillips.
. Come to find out it's not.
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