Defensive tackle N.D. Kalu will play against the Panthers with a cast on his left hand.
Texans head coach Gary Kubiak spoke to the media after Friday's practice.
Head Coach Gary Kubiak
(on how practice went today) "We had a good practice. We got to bounce around pretty good. We got to come outside and that's good. We've been outside for a couple days, and it's probably about the type of weather we're going to play in on Sunday. It's good work."
(on the mood of the team) "We're very up beat. It's early in the season, and one thing about this league is you kind of have to take them one at a time. I know it's an old cliché, but you just have to worry about yourself and prepare to play. We prepared well this week. We know it will take our best effort on the road against them, and then some. We've worked hard and we're ready to go take a shot."
(on if this game is a measuring stick for the team) "I think you're measured every week in this business. I think everybody here can taste what it would feel like to go down there and get this win against this group because we know how good this football team is. The one thing we all have to realize is we have to keep in perspective what it's going to take, so we don't put the cart before the horse. We just have to go play good football, good road football. That means protecting the football, playing clean, and then we'll see what happens."
(on the crowd noise factor) "I think this week is the first time you get it. It will definitely be, it's their home opener so you know it will be loud. We do everything we can out here, but until you get there, you never know. The key to that is your player playing with poise and handing the situation, and that starts with Matt (Schaub)."
(on the punishment handed down to New England head coach Bill Belichick) "I'll just say this, it's obvious from a player and coaching stand point in this league, the standard we are expected to uphold and adhere to is tremendous in this business. That message has been sent to everybody over the course of the last couple of years, and we all understand that."
(on the injury situation) "Travis (Johnson) and Amobi (Okoye) practiced. They will both be game time decisions for those two guys. We have Cedric (Killings) in here. We brought Cedric Killings in last night. We released Joel Dreessen last night because we are concerned inside. Cedric was one of the toughest players I've ever cut because he made this team during the summer, but we just ran out of room. We welcome him back, and he could very well be playing this week."
(on if DE Anthony Weaver is an option to move inside) "It's always an option but we would rather not go there this early."
(on if any other defensive linemen might move around) "I think Earl (Cochran) would be the most obvious guy to maybe move inside a little bit. Right now, we feel good enough with Cedric (Killings). We have a lot of confidence in him that if one of those guys can't go, we'll suit Cedric up."
(on if DT Amobi Okoye was held out of practice yesterday for something specific) "No, actually his toe was bothering him a little bit and it was more a precaution then anything. He did practice today. I just asked him when we got in our group right there and he said he felt fine so I expect he'll be ready to go."
(on how far along S Michael Boulware and S Will Demps are) "I would say Michael (Boulware) is probably a little ahead, just naturally from being here a little bit longer. They're both ready to play. Our defense is set this week. We know that we have to get those guys in position to play, there's no way around that right now. We approached our defensive scheme this week and our game plan knowing that those guys had to be ready to play."
(on if S Von Hutchins will start) "Von (Hutchins) is definitely the starter. He's earned that right. He's played well, but those other two kids, you're going to see them play."
(on Troy Calhoun being 3-0) "I tried to get in touch with him, his phone was jammed up. It wouldn't even take a message. I told him he's got a lot of buddies today. Troy (Calhoun) is a heck of a football coach and he's a hell of a guy and he's built perfect for that program. Congratulations to him and those kids."
