Houston Texans vs. Washington Redskins: Week 1 Injuries
The start of the Houston Texans season is right around the corner; and luckily, for the first time in a few seasons, the majority of the roster is primarily healthy.
That’s good to hear as the Texans look to capitalize and improve from a 2-14 record amassed last season.
It’s always comforting to know that they’ll have a full staff raring to go!
For the Texans, here are the players that are listed on the injury report:
- CB A.J. Bouye, Shoulder
- T Tyson Clabo, Ankle
- LB Brian Cushing, Ankle
- TE Garrett Graham, Back
- DE Tim Jamison, Groin
- CB Johnathan Joseph, Foot
- LB Mike Mohamed, Quadricep
- C Chris Myers, Toe
- DT Louis Nix III, Knee
- RB Jay Prosch, Hand
- G Xavier Su’A-Filo, Back
- LB Justin Tuggle, Knee
All players listed are probable for Sunday’s match up against the Washington Redskins with the exception of Graham, who hasn’t practiced for the past two days nursing his back injury. He will be a game-time decision and if he is not ready to go, rookie C.J. Fiedorowicz will be tapped as the starting tight end for the Texans.
"“It’s not a major injury (but), he may not be able to play,” O’Brien told the Houston Chronicle’s John McClain yesterday after practice. “We’ll have to work him out the morning of the game.”"
I honestly think that the Texans will be fine with Fiedorowicz starting because he is just one of those players that comes by every now and then. His mammoth frame and exceptional blocking capabilities will give opponents fits when he is on the field. The guy has dominated the game at every level and it’s time for him to do it professionally.
Graham is talented but it would not be a make-or-break type situation if he does sit out against the Redskins. I fully expect Fiedorowicz to start on Sunday because of the high level of depth they have at that position. Ryan Griffin will still be available as well! After all, Bill O’Brien‘s offense relies heavily on the use of tight end sets.
Fiedorowicz had five receptions for 32 yards with no touchdowns, appearing in all four games — starting three — during this past preseason.
And here’s the injury report for the Redskins:
- LB Akeem Jordan, Knee
- LB Brian Orakpo, Ankle
- CB Tracy Porter, Hamstring
- TE Jordan Reed, Thumb
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Orakpo, the six-year vet and three-time Pro Bowler, has been suffering from an right ankle sprain sustained during an Aug. 22 preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens.
He is expected to be a key component of the Redskins’ defense this season as it will heavily incorporate his talents.
However, it will be a homecoming of sorts because Orakpo is a native of Houston and played his college ball at the University of Texas.
It was been awhile as well — his last professional game he appeared in H-Town was the Big 12 Championship as a frosh linebacker back in 2005.
Second-year tight end Reed has been suffering from a sprained thumb but is ready to for a larger role in the offense this season — he caught 45 balls for 499 yards and three touchdowns in 2013.
According to CSN Washington’s Tarik El-Bashir, both Orakpo and Reed were full participants in practice today:
LB Brian Orakpo (ankle) and TE Jordan Reed (thumb) were full participants Friday. Both are listed as questionable.
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) September 5, 2014
They will likely be in uniform ready to go even they are currently listed as questionable.
Porter and Jordan are quite far down the depth chart and they have been ruled out for Sunday. The team seems to want to take their time in bringing them along.
Redskins’ head coach Jay Gruden so much as said so today about Porter.
"“Those hamstring injuries are tough, but always, you see on an MRI, it doesn’t seem to match sometimes what the body feels like,” Gruden told the Washington Times. “Sometimes it feels better than what it shows and sometimes it’s worse than what it shows. It’s gonna be on all on Tracy in his recovery, and when it’s ready will be dependent upon Tracy.”"
And there you have it, the list is quite short for both teams which is always a good thing!
The Texans will host the Redskins at NRG Stadium this Sunday and kickoff is scheduled for noon CDT. The game will be televised on FOX and will be broadcast on 610 SportsRadio AM/100.3 (KILT).
Go Texans!