Receiver Hopkins returns to practice after knee injury
When the Texans break the huddle Sunday against the New York Jets, star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins will be lined up at his usual spot.
Hopkins returned to practice Friday after being sidelined for two days with a knee injury. He’s listed as probable, emphasizing that he feels great.
Hopkins caught the game-winning touchdown pass from backup quarterback T.J. Yates against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night, playing every snap. He’ll catch passes from Yates again with starter Brian Hoyer officially ruled out Friday as he remains under the NFL concussion testing protocol.
“It’s always good,” Hopkins said of getting in some practice time. “It’s always good to go out there and get some time and downs, especially with a guy I haven’t thrown much with, so was very important for me.”
Hopkins has worked as much as possible to build his chemistry with Yates, building in additional prep time.
“Yeah, just to work on timing,” Hopkins said. “I really couldn’t run too much, but we did some things extra to work on stuff.”
Yates set to make season’s 1st start
T.J. Yates is involved in his final preparations for his first start since an AFC divisional-round playoff loss five years ago against the Baltimore Ravens where he was intercepted three times.
Yates ran the firstteam offense in practice all week, taking all of the snaps with the knowledge that he would be starting after manufacturing a comeback victory over the Bengals.
“It’s kind of been the situation all week, we didn’t know for sure about Brian (Hoyer), to see if he could get back quickly,” Yates said Friday. “Unfortunately, he can’t, but I have been preparing the whole week like this is going to be the situation, so not much change in my mind.”
Hoyer expected back next week
It had been determined that quarterback Brian Hoyer wouldn’t play Sunday after he experienced memory loss following a sack by Bengals defensive tackle Domata Peko where Hoyer landed on his head.
Hoyer attended practice Friday at the Texans’ training facility, a positive sign because sensitivity to light is a common symptom for concussions and it was a sunny day. The Texans are optimistic Hoyer will return for next week’s game against the New Orleans Saints. He’s been attending meetings and coming to work each day.
“It was good to see that,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “He’s been in every day, but I’ve just had him go home at times. The last couple days, though, he’s been here the whole day I believe. I know he’s been in the building every day.”
CB Jackson ruled out again
Veteran cornerback Kareem Jackson was downgraded to not practicing Friday, ruled out after participating on a limited basis the previous two days.
Jackson attempted to return from a sprained right ankle that kept him out for the past three games.
Rookie cornerback Kevin Johnson will start again and Charles James will operate as the nickel back again.
Inside linebacker Akeem Dent and running back Chris Polk are questionable with hamstring injuries. Speedy running back Akeem Hunt is on the practice squad but would need to be promoted by Saturday afternoon to be active Sunday.
Jonathan Grimes rushed for 33 yards on six carries against the Bengals and could have a bigger role this game.
“Yeah, he has played well, and I can see him playing quite a bit on Sunday,” coach Bill O’Brien said.
The following players are probable: linebackers Max Bullough (shoulder, hamstring), Jadeveon Clowney (lower back), Brian Cushing (noninjury related, didn’t practice Friday) and Brian Peters (hip), wide receiver Nate Washington (hip), cornerback Johnathan Joseph (calf ), center Ben Jones (thumb), Johnson (thigh), James (foot) and defensive end Jared Crick (ankle).
Washington, Wilfork give back
Texans veteran nose tackle Vince Wilfork and wide receiver Nate Washington are holding a turkey giveaway for families in need for Thanksgiving on Monday night at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in the Third Ward.
The signup for 750 free turkeys, through a partnership with Sysco and Wilfork and Washington’s charitable foundations, will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the church at 3826 Wheeler Ave., with vouchers given on a first-come, first-serve basis.
“My life never was always peaches and cream,” Wilfork said. “I had to struggle, I had to survive coming up. It kind of put life into perspective.”