Texans quarterback Matt Schaub and wide receiver Andre Johnson both missed OTAs because of injuries in 2012. They're both fully healthy in 2013.
The Texans' defense is currently without Brian Cushing and Ed Reed, but the only 2012 starter on offense missing OTAs due to injury is right tackle Derek Newton.
"It's great to have everyone healthy," Johnson said after practice on Monday. "I couldn't tell you the last time I did OTAs, so I'm happy just to be back out here with my teammates and everything is feeling good."
Johnson missed OTAs last offseason after having arthroscopic knee surgery. He missed nine games with hamstring injuries in 2011 and hyper-extended his knee in between. He went on to start all 16 games in 2012 and, at the age of 31, led the AFC with a career high with 1,598 receiving yards.
Schaub missed last year's OTAs while recovering from a season-ending 2011 Lisfranc injury. He started every game in 2012 and led the Texans to a 12-4 record and the second round of the playoffs. But the Texans finished 2-4, a span in which Schaub threw three touchdowns and five interceptions.
"I feel great," Schaub said. "I'll say this year not having to rehab like I was last year with my foot injury is a big plus, because I can get started right after the season getting ready for this year. (There's) motivation to be the last team standing this coming year. It was obviously a disappointment the way we ended, but it's fuel to the fire."
Last offseason, Schaub was not medically cleared to practice until training camp.
"I nearly forgot about last year, that he had missed the whole thing," Texans coach Gary Kubiak said Monday. "He's got a good season under his belt totally healthy, and obviously he comes back out here, he's had a good offseason… Having him work full-time with the team, that's important."
One of the primary beneficiaries of having Schaub and Johnson on the field is rookie wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, the Texans' first-round pick out of Clemson.
"For the young buck, for DeAndre, we put him with the first group," Kubiak said. "That's tough duty, but what happens is he's not only getting coached by us; he's getting coached by Matt in the huddle, he's getting coached by Andre in the huddle, so that's the best thing for a young player like that: Put him in an environment where he's getting help from players as well as coaches. So it's been a step in the right direction."
Twitter.com/NickScurfield
