The Texans returned from Green Bay around 4:45 a.m. on Friday morning. After a day of rest for the players, the team was back to in shorts and jerseys on Saturday morning.
Running back Duke Johnson, newly acquired in a trade with the Cleveland Browns, met with head coach Bill O'Brien on Friday.
"Duke came in and passed his physical, signed the papers, so we've acquired Duke," O'Brien said. "Duke's a first-, second-, third-down running back, he's played on special teams. Good in the running game, good in the passing game, good professional. Really excited to have him on board and just really look forward to working with him."
Johnson, who will wear No. 27, watched practice but did not participate and will not play against Detroit.
DeAndre Carter was expected to practice heading into this week's preseason game against Detroit. On Saturday, the return man and wide receiver was indeed participating after previously being on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.
After playing the entire preseason game against the Packers on Thursday, quarterback and special teams contributor Joe Webb was feeling good at Saturday's practice.
"I'm feeling pretty good," Webb said. "The body's starting to recover, coming out here running around. Feels pretty good and I'm just ready to move on to next week."
DeAndre Hopkins did not play in Thursday's game but was back at practice. In 11-on-11s he made a spectacular touchdown catch in front of the fans.
Offensive lineman Zach Fulton took snaps at center in practice. The six-year veteran, who has played both guard and center in his career, transitioned to center from right guard when Greg Mancz left Thursday's game.
"I think early on in my career it was a challenge, but now I am just so used to - if something happens -bumping over to center or bumping over to left guard or whatever the case may be. I have been doing it so long, I'm just used to it now. I practice center during the week. We practice those different types of situations and scenarios so it was just normal."
Quarterback A.J. McCarron and wide receiver Keke Coutee did not practice. McCarron left Tuesday's joint practice early while Coutee was injured during Thursday's preseason game and did not return.
"I don't expect either one of them to be back soon, relative to what soon means," O'Brien said. "Like, tomorrow? No. A week from now? Probably not. So, we'll just keep playing it by ear. We don't put out an injury report during this time of the year. When we have to do that, we'll do that."
Members of the USO military were special guests at Saturday's practice. Cal and Hannah McNair presented the military members with commemorative coins.
Justin Reid said defensive backs all have individual handshakes for each other. The best one is the one that Reid says he has with safety Jahleel Addae.
"We got a cold one, so be on the lookout for that when you see it on the field," Reid said. "But we each got our individual ones with all the guys."
The Texans will practice on Sunday and Monday at the Houston Methodist Training Center before a player's day off on Tuesday.
