Jerome Mathis could be placed on injured reserve to make room for a spot on the active roster.
Wide receiver André Davis returned kicks in Friday's practice; Davis could make his debut on special teams in Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins.
Mathis update: After undergoing weeks of medical testing, doctors finally have come close to determining exactly what is wrong with wide receiver Jerome Mathis' lower leg.
The pain that has sidelined Mathis since the Indianapolis game most likely is caused by a stress-related issue below his shin, an area that doctors call a 'hot spot.'
Gary Kubiak said Mathis could have a stress fracture and that the injury could keep the three-year veteran off the field for some time.
"Our issue right now is trying to make a decision of how long it's going to be before he can get back on the field," Kubiak said. "As you all know, we have tough, tough situations going on at wide receiver with a couple of other guys out."
Those guys are wideouts Jacoby Jones and Andre Johnson. And with so many receivers sidelined, Kubiak will consider putting Mathis on injured reserve to free up spots on the active roster.
"We have to make a decision with the doctors on how long we think it's going to take for him to get well, and then we have a tough decision to make whether we put him on IR or we wait," Kubiak said.
The head coach said he and general manager Rick Smith would evaluate the situation Friday and make a roster decision by Sunday.
"I have not been involved in the conversations with the doctors because I've been out here, getting these guys ready to play," Kubiak said. "I will be involved in that this afternoon. I will have more concrete answers from (head athletic trainer) Kevin (Bastin), and the doctors, and Rick (Smith), and then we'll make a decision."
Receiving options: If the team does decide to replace Mathis on the roster, Kubiak said Friday that he could activate practice squad wideout Harry Williams.
"We liked what he did throughout the camp," Kubiak said. "(Special teams coordinator) Joe (Marciano) really likes him as a special teams player. He played really well as a special teams player.
"He's a big kid. We've been repping him this week as if he's going to play and going to be up, and he's responded and done well. But we have to look at the game plan of what we're doing and see if it makes sense to bring him up this week."
Williams, who was a seventh-round pick by the New York Jets in 2005, joined the Texans immediately after the 2006 season and spent the summer in NFL Europa with the Amsterdam Admirals. He would give the Texans a fourth receiving option behind Kevin Walter, Davis and David Anderson.
"To play with three receivers in a game is very, very difficult, but we sent three out there last week and they played extremely well," Kubiak said. "If that's something we have to do this week, if we think it gives us the best chance to win, we'll go do it again."
Mending players: Running back Ahman Green took more reps in practice, but Kubiak will wait to decide if the 10-year veteran will suit up on Sunday.
"He practiced today much more," Kubiak said. "I would say he is still a game-time decision, but it was very encouraging."
Wide receiver Jacoby Jones dressed for practice and saw limited action, appearing to need more time to rehabilitate his separated shoulder.
"He's behind Ahman," Kubiak said. "He was out here. He did not do much. I would think it's a tough call with Jacoby. It's still a game-time call, but let's face it, he has not made the progress that Ahman has made."
Injury Report: For the Texans' official injury report, please **click here**.
