Derek Newton is expected to return to the practice field this week, according to head coach Bill O'Brien.
"I think Derek Newton is doing better, I do," O'Brien said Monday. "He's made a lot of progress so I think he'll be able to move around this week. Whether we play him against Dallas, that's to be determined. But I do think he can do some things out on the practice field this week."
Newton, who participated in all of OTAs and minicamp, left the first training camp practice early. The starting right tackle has not practiced in over four weeks, since that July 31 injury. Duane Brown has also missed the entirety pf this year's camp, as he works his way back from quadriceps surgery.
"A lot of these guys have been out have been out for a while, including Newton, Duane, and whomever else has been out for a while," O'Brien said. "You know you just can't put them right back in there to play 75 plays a game so we'll have to look at that from a conditioning standpoint."
The team has a short week as it heads into Thursday night's preseason finale against the Dallas Cowboys. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CT on ABC-13 and SportsRadio 610.
Check out some great photos of Simone Manuel's visit to NRG Stadium.
