Fullback Vonta Leach and the Texans practiced a little differently on Friday.
On Friday at the Methodist Training Center, the Texans practiced outside on a gray, windy day, with temperatures in the upper 40s.
Different routine: Head coach Gary Kubiak shook things up at practice on Friday. He said the team did more walk-throughs than normal, doubling the repetition of plays from "a mental standpoint."
After wrapping up the session, Kubiak explained the reason for the changes.
"I'm just hoping to change what we're doing by getting more mental reps on Friday," Kubiak said. "Some of the mistakes we've been making in football games, hopefully we'll find a way to cure some of those. Just a change-up."
Santa's visit: Another difference in the drills on Friday was the get-up of fullback Vonta Leach. The veteran donned a Santa Claus outfit and went through drills in the Holiday spirit.
"It is the Christmas season, and it just loosens things up," Leach said. "Obviously, things this season haven't gone the way we wanted them to go. Everybody's been down this week. So I put this on just to loosen up the guys a little bit."
Even though Leach doubled as Saint Nick, Kubiak said Leach practiced well and did his job.
"Santa Leach? He's interesting every Friday out here," Kubiak said.
{QUOTE}At a Friday practice before the Bills game, **Leach wore red tights on his legs**.
Foster's impact: Running back Arian Foster wasn't drafted last spring out of Tennessee, but the Texans signed him to a two-year rookie free agent deal. Foster was pulled up from the practice squad on Nov. 17 and will see some time on Sunday behind Chris Brown and Ryan Moats, according to Kubiak.
"He's going to play, offensively, in this game," Kubiak said. "It goes back to trying to get three guys involved. We're going to find a way to come out of this game with him playing some reps, and see how far he comes. He's practiced well."
Kubiak added that Foster has played well for special teams coordinator Joe Marciano the last few Sundays.
"We've been impressed with the kid's work," Kubiak said. "He's come a long way. I hope I come out of the game and he touches it five times and gives me a reason to give it to him 10 times. We're going to make sure he touches it, and we'll go from there."
Injury update:Defensive lineman Tim Bulman will not play Sunday because of the hamstring injury he suffered on Sunday against Jacksonville. Rookie cornerback Glover Quin will play after missing the Jaguars game with a concussion.
"Q's ready to go," Kubiak said of Quin. "All the tests checked out fine. He's ready."
Kubiak said that defensive end Mario Williams is ready to play as well.
For the complete injury report, click **here**.
