The Texans practiced Thursday at the Methodist Training Center and after, head coach Gary Kubiak and quarterback Matt Schaub answered questions from the media. The following is a transcript of their respective interviews.
Head Coach Gary KubiakQB Matt Schaub
Head Coach Gary Kubiak(on QB Matt Schaub's return to practice today) "It's good to have him back. He took probably about half the reps today, feeling a lot better. We're headed in the right direction. We expected him to get out last night and he did. Everything we thought would happen today, happened."
(on if he expect for QB Matt Schaub to start this weekend) "Yes, unless there are setbacks. You never know, but everything is pointing to the right direction."
(on if he feels QB Matt Schaub is moving around normally) "Yeah, but we gave him about half of his reps that he normally takes. So we got to make sure (QB) Dan (Orlovsky) is ready to go and getting good work, but everything looks okay. If (QB) Matt's (Schaub) fine tomorrow, he'll take everything tomorrow and we'll go to work."
(on any clarification as to win QB Matt Schaub's injury occurred) "No, I have absolutely no idea when it happened. It was just a bursa sac issue in his knee and some swelling. We're trying to get it under control and get him comfortable and that's what they did last night."
(on how important it is that QB Matt Schaub knowledge of the Texans offense is not affected by the lack of reps his takes in practice) "There are certain guys that can play (without looking at a game plan). (QB) Matt (Schaub) can look at a game plan and go play. Against this team too, you want to see as much as you can because how aggressive they are towards the quarterback. He's a guy that takes care of his business. The guys know he'll be ready to go."
(on any other news concerning the team) "(LB) Zac Diles is not here today, he's sick. He should be here tomorrow."
(on CB Jason Allen) "I would expect him to be a part of what we are doing. He had a good practice today from what I saw. I have to go back and look at the film, but if he's handling what we are doing then he'll have a uniform on and be out on the field Sunday."
(on preparing against the Jets defense) "We could practice for the next year and not cover everything that they do on defense, that's how many crazy things they do and they are sound. That's a credit to (New York Jets head coach) Rex (Ryan) and what they get done. What you'll have to do is to put your guys in the best position to react to problems. It's a big challenge and they are very good at what they do. If they break you down and start turning the ball over and getting your quarterback sacked, that's what their football team feeds off of. So we got to do everything we can to stay out of that situation."
(on does he gauge CB Jason Allen's experience against Jets as a factor in playing him) "I don't think that's a big deal. I think it's just a matter of him knowing our calls and normal technique we want him to play out there. It's not that big of a difference in this league as far as how you play a coverage. Whether you're in man or two deep, or whatever. We just need to get him comfortable with our calls."
(on RB Derrick Ward being vocal with his teammates about yesterday's practice and if he saw what he wanted to from his players in today's practice) "Yeah, we practiced good today. (RB) Derrick's (Ward) been on a winner in this league, a very successful team in this league with the Giants a few years back. He knows how you have to do things and I tell him all the time, I don't care if you've been here a week or five years, if they're not doing it right, make sure we get guys doing it right. I'm glad to see he feels that way."
(on Rex Ryan's in-game adjustments) "He makes out-of-game adjustments, in-game adjustments, he makes a bunch of them, so he's a hell of a defensive coordinator. He's been doing it for a long time. His group is always very successful and this year is no different, so a big challenge for us."
QB Matt Schaub(on how is his knee feels) "It feels good. Felt good today to get out there and practice and get ready to go."
(on how much did the treatment help him in the hospital) "Any type of treatment is helpful. It feels good and I'm ready to go."
(on if there are any limitations on the movement of his knee) "No."
(on how the injury occurred) "It's been something that I have been battling during the duration of the season since early on. It just got a little worse, but its fine."
(on if the injury occurred on a particular hit he received) "No."
(on if there is any doubt that he will play on Sunday) "There is no doubt in my mind that I will be playing on Sunday."
(on if his knee was ruptured or inflamed) "I don't know. All I know it's feeling better and it was good to get out to practice today."
(on if this knee injury is something that he will have to deal with surgery-wise at some point) "No."
(on how long has his knee been bothering him) "It flared up on Tuesday. It's something that I've been dealing with all season, but I'm good to go."
(on if he was surprised that his knee flared up on him) "I was, because coming out of the game on Sunday against Jacksonville it was fine. Monday it was fine coming into workout. It was just kind of weird Tuesday morning when I woke up and the way it was and everything. It just was out of the ordinary. I hadn't known why, so we went and got it checked out."
(on if he aggravated his knee working out) "No, it wasn't something we did in the weight room."
(on was it tough for him being in the hospital while the rest of the team was practicing) "No question. I was going stir crazy in there yesterday, but I got a book sent over to me and some practice film from yesterday, so I was checking everything out."
(on the New York Jets defense) "Well, obviously they are one of the top defenses. They are physical. They show you a lot of different looks and bring a lot of different pressures. You got to play a really good game. You got to be on top of your stuff and not give them extra opportunities, especially playing in their place."
(on if the offense can get it done by playing four quarters of football) "We absolutely can get it done, against anybody. It's imperative that we do that this week. We've had some good practices. Today we had a good practice. We just got to keep doing that and keep playing together and we'll put it together."
(on if his knee hurt when he runs or push off to throw) "No it doesn't bother me."
