The Texans practiced for the first time with a slimmer roster after cutting 21 players on Friday, including defensive end Rosevelt Colvin. They must release one additional player, a decision that will be made at 3 p.m. CT and hinges on the health of running back Chris Brown.
Brown decision to be made: As of Saturday's practice the Texans had not made a decision on running back Chris Brown, a sixth-year pro who has been sidelined most of the preseason with a back injury.
"There's all kind of options right now," coach Gary Kubiak said. "The key right now is, we have a lot of people right now looking at the injury and trying to get us the best information possible to what they think. What's the best scenario? What's the worst scenario? That's what we are sorting out right now."
The team is evaluating Brown's most recent MRI to determine whether to sign the running back to the active roster or place him on injured reserve.
{QUOTE}Releasing Brown would leave the Texans with three running backs: Ahman Green, Steve Slaton and Chris Taylor.
Green to play in Pittsburgh: Green went through a full Saturday and is looking forward to returning to action against Pittsburgh. The running back pulled his groin on the first play of the first preseason game and had been working out with the team on a limited basis.
"I'm definitely ready to start the game and play the game against Pittsburgh, because it's going to be a physical game," Green said. "Myself, Chris Taylor, Vonta (Leach) and Steve Slaton, we're all going to be backing each other up. So I'm not worried about not having enough energy, because them guys, when they go out there on that field."
Green most likely will start the game, but Slaton and Taylor will be called upon to shoulder the load against the Steelers' physical 3-4 defense.
"To all of a sudden go out there and start and think he (Green) is going to carry the ball 25 times this weekend, I think would be a mistake," Kubiak said. "We could very well play three guys in the game. Who ends up lining up behind Ahman, how we go one or two; we'll make that decision as the week goes on."
Green was having an excellent camp before his injury, saying he felt like he did in 2006 when he rushed for over 1,000 yards. The Pro Bowler knows that he will be facing one of the best run defenses in the league in Pittsburgh.
"I've played against the Steelers before, and from seeing them on-field and playing against them in the past, their defense and their defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is a guy that he's a genius at what he does and when you watch film on their defense, it looks like you're watching organized chaos," Green said. "Because before the ball is snapped, it looks like they're all lost. They don't know where they're going, they look like dogs in the neighborhood, then all of a sudden the ball snaps and they're hitting their gaps hard, fast, so we've got to be ready for that."
Slaton recovering from turf toe: The Texans gave Slaton another day to rest his turf toe, holding him out for most for practice. The rookie should rejoin the team on Monday.
"He's made progress every week," Kubiak said. "His best week was the Dallas week so that was a good thing, playing a defense very similar from that standpoint. This one is as fast as you'll find and as physical as you'll find, so he'll have to be as good as he was against Dallas and take a step forward. He'll get plenty of work and we are counting on him."
Roster not finished: Kubiak and general manager Rick Smith will keep a close eye on the waiver wire tSaturday night o see if they can upgrade their talent, especially at running back, cornerback and linebacker.
"We're not finished with our team, if that's what you are asking," Kubiak said. "The wire comes out tomorrow, so we'll be looking at that. Rick and I will be looking at that, probably tonight at midnight and throughout the morning. There are still some things that we think we could do to help our football team, so could that include a move or two? Yes it could. It could also mean we stay pat. I don't know so we'll see."
