Derek Newton is expected to return for the Texans season opener on Sept. 11 against Chicago. The Texans starting right tackle is expected to practice this week, but his snap count during the game could be limited.
"I don't think he can play the whole game," head coach Bill O'Brien said Friday. "I think that we'll have to see how many snaps as we go through the week, how he does in practice and then be ready to rotate him a little bit during the game. The last couple of weeks, even though he wasn't out there practicing, he was able to condition. He was able to run, so hopefully he's in pretty good condition and he's ready to go from that standpoint."
Newton, who was present for all of OTAs and minicamp, suffered an injury on the first day of training camp and did not play in the preseason. Both he and starting left tackle Duane Brown have been working their way back from injury.
O'Brien did not have an update on Brown's status for Week 1 yet, but said the All-Pro left tackle was "doing better." Brown has been rehabbing from his January quadriceps surgery.
"It's important to get everybody back," O'Brien said. "All of the guys who have played so much football for us in the past, starters, whatever position they play. It's important to have as healthy of a roster as you have and Derek should be ready to go to practice this week and ready to play in the game."
The Houston Texans enjoyed lunch with fans and sponsors at the 13th annual Texans Team Luncheon pres. by Amegy Bank of Texas on Tuesday afternoon.
