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Should The Texans Sit Andre Johnson Sunday In Oakland?

Last Sunday, Andre Johnson aggravated the right ankle sprain he originally suffered against the Redskins in Week Two. 'Dre says he does not have "any doubts at all" about playing on Sunday in Oakland. While you can't question his toughness, should Kubes (or the medical staff) keep him off the field this week in an effort to let him heal?

Star-divide

First, here's a bit about the injury 'Dre is dealing with (scroll down to the section entitled "High Ankle Sprains"), via the website of an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in treating foot and ankle injuries. In short, and as you probably already knew, high ankle sprains are generally much more serious injuries than the typical ankle sprain. As a result, high ankle sprains take much longer to heal; the link above cites a study that found "the average recovery time for these injuries was more than 40 days" and notes that they are usually treated, at least initially, with a walking boot or cast.

Yet, at least for several hours on Sunday, Andre Johnson wouldn't be in a walking boot or cast. He'd be in cleats. Running. Cutting. Getting tackled. Not exactly the ideal healing process, even for a superhuman like 'Dre. Plus, it's not like this is a playoff game; there's another fourteen (14) games (and hopefully more, if a man can dream) to play after this week.

Thus, what should your Houston Texans do on Sunday? Send Andre Johnson out there on that bad ankle? Force him to sit this contest out for the long-term good of both 'Dre and the team, gambling that the Texans can move the ball on the Raiders without the best wide receiver in the game? Or is there a third option? Namely, running 'Dre out there as a decoy, so Oakland (and presumably Nnamdi Asomugha) has to account for him?

Personally, I'd keep 'Dre tethered to the sidelines, but my livelihood isn't tied to the Texans winning football games. Mental health, yes, but not livelihood. If I was Gary Kubiak, I'd probably employ the third option. What would you do if you were in Kubes' shoes? Express yourself in the poll and the Comments.

Texans vs Raiders coverage
Poll
With regard to Andre Johnson on Sunday in Oakland, in light of 'Dre's high ankle sprain, the Texans should:
Play him as they normally would.
114 votes
Play him, but primarily (if not entirely) as a decoy.
309 votes
Sit/Rest him.
430 votes
Other (please elaborate in the Comments).
18 votes

871 votes | Poll has closed

Comment 55 comments  |  0 recs  | 

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i say rest him.

we got lots of weapons… i’d love to see DA and JJ and KW have huge games.

"If i wasn't a gentleman, i'd punch you square in the mouth!!!!" - Arthur Spooner
http://www.twitter.com/chrisdogan

by chrisd21 on Sep 29, 2010 2:38 PM CDT via mobile reply actions  

Use as needed

I’d like to see Foster run it down their throats but if we need him in the second half to come in and make a play we gotta let him

by KentuckyTexansFan on Sep 29, 2010 2:46 PM CDT reply actions  

My fantasy league likes this idea too!!!!

"When's the last time your mother went fast?" DA

by CowboyH8ter on Sep 29, 2010 3:47 PM CDT up reply actions  

Other

Rest him unless the game looks close. Play him only if needed to seal the deal.

"An open mind is like a fortress with it's gates unbarred and unguarded."

What happens when an unstoppable force meets three defensive players? THIS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpWqMqrZwTU

by TexansForever on Sep 29, 2010 2:51 PM CDT reply actions  

I can see that my idea is shared by others

I would like to either decoy or rest him unless he is needed to win the game. It really depends on how he feels on Sunday. If it feel horrible then sit him and shoot it up only if needed to win the game. If he feels like he can run around a little then go ahead and start him hoping that Scrabble will be preoccupied with Dre. Bottom line this game is very close to a must win if we are to maintain a positive mindset moving forward, so we gotta do what we gotta do. If that means risking Dre’s ankle to make a big catch then so be it.

It took the Astros 44 years to get to the Series, the Oilers-Texans are due to get to the big dance...Go Texans!!!!!

by oiler-texan diehard on Sep 29, 2010 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions  

There is no in between

Dre is too much of a competitor to be used simply as a decoy. He needs to sit for the good of the team. If he is in the game he will go all out like he always does and will have a greater chance of hurting himself.

by CoogmanSam on Sep 29, 2010 2:52 PM CDT reply actions  

this.

"If i wasn't a gentleman, i'd punch you square in the mouth!!!!" - Arthur Spooner
http://www.twitter.com/chrisdogan

by chrisd21 on Sep 29, 2010 4:40 PM CDT up reply actions  

There can be a game plan NOT to throw to Dre

He won’t like it because of what you said, but Dre is all about winning and if he can help get a big W by just running decoy routes, he will do it. He doesn’t need to keep absorbing tackles or the ankle will not be 100% until 2011.

It took the Astros 44 years to get to the Series, the Oilers-Texans are due to get to the big dance...Go Texans!!!!!

by oiler-texan diehard on Sep 29, 2010 5:34 PM CDT up reply actions  

The run after the catch isn't the only problem

I don’t think dre is capable of running lazy, rounded off routes for a game. As much as he wants to win, being in a game with no targets would drive him crazy. He would continue to cut and try and make plays. You either have to sit him or play him, the decoy plan just doesn’t seem like it would work.

by CoogmanSam on Sep 29, 2010 9:38 PM CDT up reply actions  

I seem to remember a story....

about the coaching/medical staff trying to hide his helmet so he wouldn’t continue to play. Good luck with that.

Just my $.02
Even duct tape can't fix stupid

by txknight on Sep 29, 2010 7:57 PM CDT up reply actions  

You right.

I'll fly off the handle if I damn well please, I'm a Texans Fan!

by carsonwayne on Sep 29, 2010 8:34 PM CDT up reply actions  

SIT HIM

 we didnt give DA a new contract so he could be on the field twice a game. Give him the opportunity to contribute. I would love to see DA have a nice game in the slot. He added a real spark when Dre went out last week. His routes were sharp and he looked quick and shifty. I think a 100% DA is better than a 80% Dre, if he can’t run normal speed the timing will be off and could create turnovers, like what happened last week.

by Cokemachine44 on Sep 29, 2010 3:04 PM CDT reply actions  

Barber at FS

D Barber will be starting in WIlson’s spot this weekend.

by Jahon on Sep 29, 2010 3:26 PM CDT reply actions  

Source?

That’s worthy of a FanShot.

Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...

by Tim on Sep 29, 2010 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions  

Anna-Megan Raley
Texans safety Dominic Barber will start in place of Eugene Wilson on Sunday against the Raiders. #hounews

by Jahon on Sep 29, 2010 3:33 PM CDT reply actions  

Anna-Megan Raley
Texans safety Dominic Barber will start in place of Eugene Wilson on Sunday against the Raiders. #hounews

by Jahon on Sep 29, 2010 3:33 PM CDT reply actions  

Rivers

Has a FanShot up on the main page.

Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...

by Tim on Sep 29, 2010 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions  

Other

Rest him as long as we are winning comfortably.

by Bobbythegreat on Sep 29, 2010 3:57 PM CDT reply actions  

Decoy

we can’t have Scrabble shutting down somebody other than Andre we need all the help we can get

living the Texas dream

by Joe25 on Sep 29, 2010 3:59 PM CDT reply actions  

Rest Him

Time to unleash some Dub D on the world.

by NWestTexan on Sep 29, 2010 4:05 PM CDT reply actions  

My fantasy team demands it to not be so

You Have been banned from Stampede Blue
"inciting readers to get me fired is a quick ticket to banning" - BBS
Comment that got me banned:
You can send your complaints to dhalprin123@gmail.com

by JustAJ on Sep 29, 2010 4:15 PM CDT reply actions  

Other

I say play him the first half. As long as the Texans play as they should, we should have a decent lead and then he can rest

by RaY210 on Sep 29, 2010 4:27 PM CDT reply actions  

I need dre

My fantasy team needs him to badly for him to not to play

by samteks on Sep 29, 2010 5:21 PM CDT reply actions  

Other

I think it depends on how bad the injury REALLY is. His health is the most important thing.

by texanslady on Sep 29, 2010 5:39 PM CDT reply actions  

Put him in if we get behind

But don’t play him unless we need him. Let him rest so we don’t deal with this every week.

by WhiskeyR on Sep 29, 2010 5:48 PM CDT reply actions  

Degree?

What kind of high ankle sprain is this? This is the injury TO had the season the Eagles went to the super bowl. He was out for six weeks or so. The buzz was it would have been better if TO had broken his leg as far as how long it would take to heal. Obviously Andres injury is the not the same.

At the same time if we lose Andre we might as well pack up the season tomorrow. I say rest him. The real question is how long? Resting for a week probably won’t do it. Do we rest for Raiders, Giants and Chefs? We should be able to beat the Raiders and Chefs without Andre. Giants are hard to figure right now.

by battlered90 on Sep 29, 2010 7:42 PM CDT reply actions  

I don't think we would be in this bad a shape.
if we lose Andre we might as well pack up the season tomorrow

Just my $.02
Even duct tape can't fix stupid

by txknight on Sep 29, 2010 7:59 PM CDT up reply actions  

Second most damaging loss of a player

So it’s not far off. Rest him until the bye if necessary.

http://www.crawfishboxes.com

by OremLK on Sep 29, 2010 9:18 PM CDT up reply actions  

Sit him

As much as fantasy wise id love for him to destroy the raiders.
Id rather not risk hurting himself more
We need him to be there later

GO TEXANS Beledat

by RED56 on Sep 29, 2010 7:48 PM CDT via mobile reply actions  

Other

I said other because I think the coaching/medical staff is going to play hell keeping him off the field if he feels he can contribute.

Just my $.02
Even duct tape can't fix stupid

by txknight on Sep 29, 2010 8:00 PM CDT reply actions  

If you sit AJ...

…then Asomugha shuts down K-Dub. Leaving Jacoby and DA as smh the two WR’s who’ll catch passes. Along with the TE’s, of course, but that’s no bueno.

But, if you start AJ you risk his ankle not healing for the rest of the season. He needs to sit. 14 days off the ankle will do him some good. It won’t completely heal it, but it will damn sure help.

I'll fly off the handle if I damn well please, I'm a Texans Fan!

by carsonwayne on Sep 29, 2010 8:48 PM CDT reply actions  

Voted to use him as a decoy.

Taking Nnamdi out and improving the effectiveness of our other receivers.

"Eff you mothereffer!"

-Bernard Pollard-

by Jordann on Sep 29, 2010 10:35 PM CDT reply actions  

I think Dre should make the call

"I want you guys to pair up in groups of three and then line up in a circle." - Bill Peterson former Oilers Coach

by Barryfromtexas on Sep 29, 2010 11:22 PM CDT reply actions  

I wish Andre could be objective about it.

But I was reading some old newspaper articles about the time when Andre got his contract worked out. I wouldn’t put it past Andre to try to diminish the danger to his own health to sacrifice for the team winning.

The quotation from Andre that has me worried was one that was something to the effect that if he had to, he’d carry the team on his back. While an awesome sentiment . . . and I love Andre for thinking that .. I’m hoping he’s being objective about his injury. We need a healthy Andre for the BIG games. These upcoming games are not BIG games.

Hide the man’s helmet!

by BattleRedFan on Sep 30, 2010 2:35 AM CDT up reply actions  

Dre would say he's good to play on anything short of an amputation

I say we rest him. I don’t want to just get to the playoffs.

by BrownCrayon on Sep 30, 2010 2:36 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions  

amen!

I want to get to the Super Bowl! =D

by BattleRedFan on Sep 30, 2010 2:37 AM CDT up reply actions  

wow you guys suck at imagination!

I want to win the mothafuckin superbowl. I want pollard and cushing to break people. i want andre to break every career stat in a season. i want foster to run and yell veek until i can’t take it anymore and the run some more. i want mario to keep sacking quarterbacks until they start calling in sick. i want demeco to call so many coverages that the offense never even bothers getting out of the huddle. and finally, i want frank bush and gary kubiak to come up with so many effective gameplans, that they can just turn up sideways and stick them straight up every opposing coaches candy ass.

If ya smellllll la la loooooow, what the Rock is cooking!

Feeling the five stages of grief since 2002.

by NoSafetiesNeeded on Sep 30, 2010 9:36 AM CDT up reply actions   2 recs

and this is why I want to hid the man's helmet
Dre would say he’s good to play on anything short of an amputation

and/or put him on inactive list.

my bet is he’s a terrible patient.

by BattleRedFan on Sep 30, 2010 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions  

Screw the Fantasy Teams

I say sit him down and tie him to the bench if necessary.

We need him as close to a 100 percent as possible for the other match ups.

IF WE CANT BEAT OAKLAND WITHOUT DRE, HOW GOOD ARE WE THEN?

This week i’d like to see OD get some heavy work in.

by Ivan A on Sep 30, 2010 1:58 AM CDT reply actions  

For the sake of the season

Rest him.

For the sake of my fantasy football this week, decoy! Because my starting WR’s are Boldin and Walter! Can’t have Scrabble on K-Dub!

How about, rest him and activate Dickerson. Work him in some plays, get some real NFL season experience. He needs to see regular season speed anyway.

I am Sancho

by HoustonTransplant on Sep 30, 2010 3:29 AM CDT reply actions  

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