Week 7 Injury Report: Houston Texans Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Houston Texans have had nearly two weeks off from a grueling stretch of games that occurred last week.

This couldn’t have come at a more convenient time as the bumps and bruises were starting to mount up.

The past two losses that the Houston Texans have sustained were tough pills to swallow because they were attainable wins, it’s just that there just wasn’t enough execution in the game plan to win the game.

The Texans hope to do so this week in front of a nationally-televised audience against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

It won’t be the easiest of match ups by any means as both teams have a 3-3 record and are desperately seeking a win after losing a couple straight.

But only one team can walk away as the victor and I’m certainly optimistic it will be the Texans.

They’ll be staring in the face of those Terrible Towels!

There a few maladies to pay attention to but not as much as usual with the extra time to prepare.

Take a look:

For the Houston Texans, here are the players that are listed on the injury report:

• G Brandon Brooks, Illness

• OLB Jadeveon Clowney, Knee

• ILB Brian Cushing, Knee

• RB Arian Foster, Groin

• WR DeAndre Hopkins, Hand

• DE Tim Jamison, Groin

• WR Andre Johnson, Ankle

• CB Johnathan Joseph, Knee

• ILB Mike Mohamed, Calf

• CB Darryl Morris, Ankle

• C Chris Myers, Personal Business (Not injury related)

• T Derek Newton, Elbow

• OLB Brooks Reed, Groin

• ILB Jeff Tarpinian, Knee

• DE J.J. Watt, Thigh

All eyes will be on the status of Clowney who practiced with the team for the first time yesterday since the beginning of the season.  It has been nearly six weeks since he has been present.  He did not practice in full and was limited in participation.

According to Bill O’Brien, he will be a game-time decision.

The Houston Chronicle John McClain confirms:

The status of Reed has also been up in the air for the week as he nurses an injured groin. He was limited in practice Friday but did participate. O’Brien has so much as cleared him to play Monday.

McClain reports:

Morris has been ruled out for tomorrow night.  Clowney and Mohamed are officially listed as questionable.  Brooks, Cushing, Foster, Hopkins, Jamison, Johnson, Joseph, Myers, Newton, Reed, Tarpinian and Watt are all probable.

And here’s the injury report for the Pittsburgh Steelers:

• RB Will Johnson, Illness

• DE Cameron Heyward, Ankle

• DE Brett Keisel, Knee

• DT Steve McLendon, Shoulder

• S Michael Mitchell, Knee

• S Troy Polamalu, Personal Business (Not Injury Related)

• LB Ryan Shazier, Knee

• CB Ike Taylor, Forearm

• S Shamarko Thomas, Hamstring

Head coach Mike Tomlin has already ruled out Taylor and McLendon will be out this week as he heals from a forearm injury, both are key components of their defense.  Since Cam Thomas has been filling in for McClendon, the Steelers have been giving up six yards per carry versus a little over four yards per carry with McClendon in.

The Steelers confirmed their status earlier this week:

Thomas has also been ruled out for tomorrow.  Shazier is listed as questionable.  Heyward, Johnson, Keisel, Mitchell and Polamalu are all probable.

And there you have it — there are a few knicks on each roster but both should have mostly a full staff for Monday night’s match up.

The Texans take on the Steelers Monday at Heinz Field.  Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CDT.

The game will be televised on ESPN and broadcast on 610 SportsRadio AM/100.3 (KILT).

Go Texans!