Day 5 of Texans training camp was the team's first morning practice not open to the public. The Texans practiced in full pads for the first time in sweltering conditions, with the heat index on the field hitting 110 degrees. Texans coach Gary Kubiak was not happy with his team's practice, calling it the sloppiest effort of camp.
Reeves, Myers injured: Cornerback Jacques Reeves and center Chris Myers were injured during the team's morning practice. Reeves will miss 6-8 weeks with a fractured fibula. Myers has a high-ankle sprain. Click **here** for the full report.
Sloppy effort:Kubiak was displeased with the team's performance in practice.
"You come out here every day and you want every guy healthy," he said. "The key to staying healthy is keeping people off the ground and practicing fast, and we didn't do that today. We were sloppy as a football team."
Kubiak said that "everything" was sloppy about the practice and replied with a decisive "nope" when asked if he liked anything from the two-hour morning session. He also called it the sloppiest practice of camp.
"We came out and it was one of those days where it's the beginning of day five, guys' legs are getting tired and minds are exhausted," quarterback Matt Schaub said. "It's just a matter of pushing through it as a group. We were able to fight through it and we had some good practice periods, but we started a little slower. We have to get on things, start faster and correct those things going into the next practice."
Brown making strides:Veteran running back Chris Brown missed all of last season with a back injury after signing with the Texans in the 2008 offseason, but he has had a clean bill of health so far in 2009.
"I think Chris has made a big step from the standpoint of rehabilitation," running backs coach Chick Harris said. "He looks pretty good right now, but now the rigorous two-a-days in training camp are going to be an indicator of what he can do."
If Brown can stay healthy, he could provide the Texans with a proven big back to pair with second-year pro Steve Slaton.
"I'm real hopeful (that he can stay healthy)," Harris said. "I get down on my knees every night and hope that can happen. Being in training camp… I think that we'll find out. Chris has done a great job in the offseason. He's had more times in our weight room than anybody else. He's a veteran, he's smart, and I'm hoping for the best."
Baby on the way: Schaub and his wife, Laurie, recently found out that she is six weeks pregnant with their first child.
"It was an out-of-body experience to go to the doctor and to see and hear that heartbeat; (it) was something else," Schaub said. "It's one of the greatest gifts in this world."
Morning practice notes:Tight end James Casey made a nifty one-handed grab during a team period over linebacker Brian Cushing, who was covering Casey on a corner route…offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said that Casey would "definitely" get some carries near the goal line during the preseason…defensive end Connor Barwin forced a fumble during the team period on a running back that was recovered by the defense…coaches continue to be happy with the progress of rookie running back Arian Foster, though Harris noted after practice that Foster is a bit too upright, especially when running through traffic.
Injury report: In addition to Myers and Reeves' injuries, Quin was in pads but did not practice in the morning. After practice, the rookie corner called his leg bruise a "little speed bump" and said that he hopes to get back on the field as soon as possible.
"We're just day-to-day right now," he said. "They came out here this morning and tried it out and it was still a little tender, still a little sore. I'm pretty sure we'll go in and get some treatment and try it out again, and whenver I can go, I'll be back out there."
TACT groups at camp:As part of the Texans' All Community Team (TACT) program, more than 200 local children attended practice on Tuesday morning. Through the TACT program, Texans players purchase a bundle of season tickets for children from local non-profit organizations, hospitals and schools.
Wide receiver Andre Johnson's group, the Houston Texans YMCA, brought 150 children to practice. They were joined by more than 50 children from the Boys & Girls Club Y.E.T. Centers, the organization of choice for safety Eugene Wilson. The children played in the TORO's Kid Zone areas set up for open fan practices and met with Wilson and Johnson after practice.
