Jacoby Jones could return punt and kickoffs Sunday against the Jaguars.
The Houston Texans hit the practice field Friday with Jacoby Jones, Ahman Green and DeMeco Ryans ready to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Ahman's in: Running back Ahman Green completed his first full week of practice after hurting his knee in the Week 3 game against the Colts.
Coaches and trainers, who have been careful not to rush back the 10-year veteran, monitored Green's every move, making sure he was prepared to face one of the toughest defensive lines in the league this Sunday.
"He probably could've played last week; we did the right thing and fortunately for us things worked out," head coach Gary Kubiak said. "But he's ready to go. We'll play him normal, but naturally you're not going to go give him the ball 40 times."
Kubiak doesn't want to overload the starting rusher, but the head coach will need Green to take most of the carries and work the outside corners.
Balanced attack: Getting Green back on the field will also allow the Texans to run a more balanced offense. The team had been relying on the passing game to move the ball downfield, averaging more than 300 passing yards over the last two games.
If you have a football team that knows you're not going to run the ball or you're not going to attempt the run the ball, then all of a sudden you're mentality is not what I want it to be," Kubiak said. "So we're not going to head in that direction."
And with a team as physical as Jacksonville, the Texans have to be prepared to pound the ball or Texans quarterback Matt Schaub will end up taking a beating.
"If we go out there and we throw the ball 50 times this week at Jacksonville, we're going to get our quarterback hurt," Kubiak said. "He's going to get beat up. The flow of the game, you just can't do that and you've got to establish identity in football.
"We're playing a team that's extremely physical and if we're not willing to line up and try to run the ball at them, go toe to toe with them, then we're going to be in trouble. So it's important that we figure out a way to do it."
Jacoby's specialty: After being sidelined for several weeks with a separated shoulder, wide receiver Jacoby Jones will return to the field Sunday, primarily as a returning specialist. Jones has topped the depth chart as a punt returner, but he could also start returning kickoffs.
"He's done all the punts and he could very well do the kicking," Kubiak said. "It has a lot to do with we've got a decision to make on our 45th player – is that Dexter (Wynn) or is that (Jamar) Fletcher? Is that Shantee Orr? We've got a decision to make on that last guy, and we'll make that decision tomorrow on the plane."
Jones will also get in at receiver, backing up wideouts André Davis, Kevin Walter and David Anderson.
"And as far as wide receiver, he'll back up those three guys," Kubiak said. "He will play, but he won't be a starter in any capacity from that standpoint."
Ryans all-right: Middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans practiced at full speed Friday after being limited earlier this week with a sore ankle. The second-year veteran appeared ready to lead the defensive troops into Jacksonville Municipal Stadium
"He's the leader of our football team, as well as our defense," Kubiak said. "He could have practiced yesterday, that was us kind of holding him."
Sidelining Ryans allowed veteran Danny Clark and rookie Zac Diles to get experience playing the middle linebacker position.
"It's good for Danny to get the MIKE and it's good for Zac to get a lot of reps because we've got to get Zac involved with this team here as we go throughout the season, so you don't mind resting a player like him," Kubiak said. "He knows what the heck he's doing. It's just a matter of being ready to go."
Injury Report: For the Texans' official injury report, please* ***click here**.
