Quarterback Sage Rosenfels will get the start Sunday in Oakland for an injured Matt Schaub.
Guard Chester Pitts did not feel well Friday and sat out of practice, but he is expected to start Sunday when the Texans take on the Raiders in Oakland.
Dre won't dress: Wide receiver Andre Johnson completed his first full week of team workouts, but the Pro Bowler who has been injured since Week 2 will not suit up until Sunday, Nov. 18 when Texans face the Saints.
"He's made a lot of progress this week," head coach Gary Kubiak said. "He's practiced pretty darn good. He's not 100 percent, but he's close and the best thing for Andre is and for our football team is to make sure that he gets another 16 or 17 days of rest."
Johnson's left knee held up in team scrimmages in which the wideout wore his captain's jersey for the first time since he was injured in Carolina. However, the five-year veteran will use next week's bye to make sure he has completely healed from the sprain.
"The smartest thing for Andre's career and for the Texans as we move forward is to make sure he's 100 percent," Kubiak said. "He is not 100 percent yet, but he's awful close and there's no doubt he will there in two weeks"
Three backs deep: Running back Ahman Green's knee did not swell after two solid practices, which means the 10-year veteran will likely resume starting duties against the Raiders. Green has only played in two games since Week 3 and did not dress last week against the Chargers because of lingering soreness.
Rusher Adminchinobi Echemandu, who rushed for 62 yards in 10 carries with Green on the sidelines in San Diego, has healed the hamstring he pulled in the game.
With Ron Dayne also healthy, Kubiak could rotate the three rushers to give the Texans' running game a new look.
"I may suit all three of them," Kubiak said. "Ahman has had a good week of practice. He's ready to go. Adimchinobi looks fine, has looked fine. We may end up suiting all three of them to be smart."
Florence fined: The NFL fined Chargers cornerback Drayton Florence $15,000 for a late blow against quarterback Matt Schaub. Florence leveled the quarterback after Schaub had thrown an interception, which constitutes an illegal hit by league rules.
The hit sent Schaub to hospital with a concussion, forcing the quarterback to sit out Sunday against the Raiders.
Texans general manager Rick Smith expressed Thursday that the league's punishment should have more severe. Friday, Kubiak echoed Smith's statement.
"The only think I'd add to it is the same thing Rick said, that I'm disappointed," Kubiak said. "We have a game to play. It's time to move on."
Team bonding: The Texans departed from normal team traveling procedure and flew out of Houston two days before their away game. The extra night in Oakland will give the players more time to adjust to the time difference and a chance to bond with their coaches off of the field.
"All these guys do is work together," Kubiak said. "This is a chance for them to go out to dinner with their coaches, some of their coaches.
"It's a little bit different atmosphere. You get to actually relax today, but then it's all business. We have a game to play. They know that."
Injury Report: For the Texans' official injury report, please **click here**.
