While quarterback Matt Schaub (knee) returned to practice on Thursday, weakside linebacker Zac Diles sat out with an illness. Texans coach Gary Kubiak expects Diles to return to action tomorrow.
Tight end Owen Daniels (hamstring) missed practice for the second consecutive day. Daniels has been inactive for the last two games and is day-to-day this week. Defensive end Jesse Nading (knee) also did not participate on Thursday.
Wide receiver Andre Johnson (ankle), defensive end Mario Williams (groin), punter Matt Turk (right hip) and center Chris Myers were limited in practice.
Chomping at the bit
Schaub rarely misses a practice, so he had a difficult time spending Wednesday in treatment at Methodist Hospital while his teammates were on the field.
"I was going stir-crazy in there yesterday, knowing they were out here," Schaub said. "But I got a (play)book sent over to me and some film and then got practice film from yesterday, so I was checking everything out."
Ward gets vocalRunning back Derrick Ward was especially vocal at practice on Wednesday, getting after his teammates after a sluggish start to practice.
A seventh-year veteran in his first season with the Texans, Ward said that he normally keeps a low profile but "vocalized what I thought could be better, what I thought should be better." Kubiak said practice was better on Thursday and welcomed Ward's input.
"Derrick's been on a winner in this league, a very successful team in this league, with the Giants a few years back," Kubiak said. "He knows how you have to do things, and I tell them 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."
