The Texans started OTAs on Monday with two of their marquee defensive players, linebacker Brian Cushing and safety Ed Reed, sidelined by injuries.
Cushing rehabbed his left knee on a side field at the Methodist Training Center before watching practice with his teammates. Reed is still in Colorado rehabbing from minor hip surgery that will keep him out at least until training camp.
"He's doing really well," Texans coach Gary Kubiak said of Reed, a nine-time Pro Bowler who signed with the Texans in March. "The expectations are for him to leave Colorado some point this week from a rehab standpoint. It's going good."
Reed's exact arrival date in Houston is unclear. He and Cushing will both sit out of all 10 OTA practices. The Texans are hoping to get Reed on the field by the beginning or middle of training camp.
There's little doubt Cushing, the Texans' defensive captain who tore his ACL on Oct. 8, will be ready by the fall.
"He's doing great," Kubiak said. "He'll be ready to go. Our goal's been training camp the whole time. If it was up to Cush, he'd be out here today, but we've got to do it right."
Right tackle Derek Newton (knee) and wide receiver DeVier Posey (Achilles) also did not practice Monday and will not participate in OTAs. Posey could start the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list, but Kubiak said Monday that the 2012 third-round pick is "ahead of schedule, whatever that schedule is." Rookie tackle Brennan Williams is dealing with a minor knee injury from rookie mini-camp on May 11.
Inside linebacker Darryl Sharpton (hip) and cornerback Brice McCain (foot), who suffered season-ending injuries in 2012, practiced Monday. Kubiak said the Texans will limit Sharpton throughout OTAs and that McCain is back to work on a "temporary basis."
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