Andre Johnson "Almost Close To Full Speed"

by Tim on Nov 10, 2011 9:53 PM CST in News

Nick Scurfield memorialized some pretty promising verbiage from Gary Kubiak and Andre Johnson this evening on the official site. See what Kubes and 'Dre had to say about 'Dre's status after the jump.

"I’m almost close to full speed," Johnson said on Thursday. "Everything’s been going very positive, so I’m pretty excited about that… We’ll come out and run again tomorrow, see how it feels, just make sure that I’m comfortable and we’ll go from there."

Whether or not Johnson plays against the Bucs, he has cleared the last major hurdle in his rehab. The two-time All-Pro said that he no longer feels tugging in his leg when he runs.

"That was the main thing that was holding me back," Johnson said. "I haven’t been feeling it the past couple days that I’ve been running. I guess the main thing now is just me getting confidence back in my leg. Sometimes when I’m running, I’m so used to feeling it that sometimes I’m waiting on it to happen."

"Andre’s very, very close, so it will probably be a decision we make tomorrow, whether he comes out here and practices with us or goes again with Kap, and then make a decision for the weekend," Kubiak said. "But he is doing extremely well.

"He was impressive today. I watched him; he was very good, full speed."

That all sounds very positive. Assuming the doctors clear him, do you believe Andre Johnson should play Sunday in Tampa? Sound off in the poll and expand upon your reasoning in the Comments below.

Texans vs Buccaneers coverage

Poll

If Andre Johnson is cleared to play on Sunday, would you run him out there against Tampa Bay?

Yes.

143 votes

No. Rest him until after the bye week.

219 votes

362 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 61 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

Rest Him.

I’d rather have a 100% Dre for 6 weeks than a 90% Dre that re-injures himself in 1 week back.

The Texans are like a $14 wine. They're supposed to get better in time, but in the end it's still crap.

by NewJerseyTexansFan on Nov 10, 2011 9:57 PM CST reply actions

he's smart. if he thinks he's ready, play him.

Im looking for divine and a lttle intervention
And birds dont fly without my permission
Im prolly in the sky, flyin with the fishes
Or maybe in the ocean, swimmin with the pigeons
See my world is different, like Dwayne Wayne
And if you want problem Bit#h, i want the same thang

by F-BombTheJets on Nov 10, 2011 9:57 PM CST reply actions

This

by brightshinies on Nov 11, 2011 11:16 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Yes

For my fantasy team. No as a Texans fan

by LouisianaTexan on Nov 10, 2011 9:58 PM CST via mobile reply actions

"almost close to full speed"

What?

by Karsh on Nov 10, 2011 10:10 PM CST reply actions

60% of the time, it works every time....

by Texan5513 on Nov 11, 2011 8:04 AM CST up reply actions 5 recs

If he's cleared to play, he's gonna play

There’s nothing they will be able to do to keep him on the bench if he’s good to go

Murphy’s 20th Military Law:
If it’s stupid, but it works, it ain’t stupid
"Fuck em all. Go Texans."

by The Night Owl on Nov 10, 2011 10:15 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

Hiding his helmet seems to have worked in the past

by jkcheng122 on Nov 11, 2011 9:41 AM CST up reply actions

Won't work now after the whole Innegan incident

I don’t think they want to see Andre angry

Murphy’s 20th Military Law:
If it’s stupid, but it works, it ain’t stupid
"Fuck em all. Go Texans."

by The Night Owl on Nov 11, 2011 10:53 AM CST up reply actions

I say yes

However, limit his playing time on the field. I’d rather him get back to playing on the field than to come back stale. There’s a difference between practice and game day situations.

My thoughts are like Brian Cushing on the field: Everywhere.

by f22a4bandit on Nov 10, 2011 10:17 PM CST reply actions

Yes....

limit him only to 3 touchdown catches rather than 4. Im totally ok with that.

"I see domination in the Texans future, if they can only get the ship into the water. Then, all the doubters can publicly SUCK IT"

"Steven Slaton is the epitome of a 1-hit wonder. I curse him before he even touches the ball to pre-empt the bad things he is about to do before he knows he is going to do it." -Myself-

by HolyCrapADecentDefense on Nov 11, 2011 1:00 AM CST up reply actions 4 recs

Yes, if he's good, let him get a few plays.

It doesn’t have to be many, and you can spread them throughout the game, but let him get a sine time on the field.

Dallas Cowboys, all hat and no cattle since 1996.

by Jonathan Fosburgh on Nov 11, 2011 8:12 AM CST up reply actions

I would play him.

It sounds to me like AJ is feeling fine. Its obviously a judgement call and you have to evaluate his progress but he sounds ok.
The bucs are a dangerous team. and Dre just brings a whole ’nother dimension to this offense.
In this game you use every advantage you get to win every game you can.
Not that we cant win without him, but this next game and the falcons game I want dre to be playing.
Limit his snaps if you must, and thats fine.

"Slammed that hoe on the counter like I just got 35 on the domino table!!"
Sherrod Harris

by AlDe2356 on Nov 10, 2011 10:18 PM CST reply actions

I say play him

This week will be one of the few tough games we have left this year, and to see 7-3 next to our name would just gives me chills.

by TheDream34 on Nov 10, 2011 10:43 PM CST via mobile reply actions

i agree

the bucs do offer a bit of a challenge but not on the run defense. Our offense should run right over them and up to the pressbox to shut off the scoreboard. Our d has been stout, but should be ready for maybe one of Freeman’s off chance good games.

"I see domination in the Texans future, if they can only get the ship into the water. Then, all the doubters can publicly SUCK IT"

"Steven Slaton is the epitome of a 1-hit wonder. I curse him before he even touches the ball to pre-empt the bad things he is about to do before he knows he is going to do it." -Myself-

by HolyCrapADecentDefense on Nov 11, 2011 1:02 AM CST up reply actions

Suit him and deploy in case of emergency.

by Karsh on Nov 10, 2011 10:58 PM CST reply actions

agreed

If it get gets close or we are down at the half, throw him in for the second half to get the W… If we are up just let him rest.

by Texan5513 on Nov 11, 2011 8:06 AM CST up reply actions

Rest him

I’d rather us be a menace for the home stretch of the season and going into the playoffs (I know I said the P word) than have some setback that brings us back to square one when we’ll REALLY need him

"San Antonio is the best falling down team in the league"- Bill Worrell

by TheLastDynasty on Nov 10, 2011 11:01 PM CST reply actions

Absolutely not.

If we really do think we have such a great chance to make the playoffs, we need him to have a chance at advancing deep into them. Rest him, for Durga’s sake. Rest him for this ONE more game, and you get two more weeks of healing. Two more weeks of him gaining the confidence to plant, cut and accelerate. Rest him.

"The best thing about being a cynic......is that you are never surprised." ~Anonymous

"Don't get yourself a bunch of tricky plays.......get yourself a bunch of tricky players." `Paul "Bear" Bryant

by Christopher H on Nov 10, 2011 11:03 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

This^

We need him to be perfect week 19.

Follow Me on Twitter @WhiskeyR9

by WhiskeyR on Nov 11, 2011 9:06 AM CST up reply actions

After what happened to Arian in week 2

my first instinct says rest him.

Remember though, every game counts the same.

If he’s absolutely, positively, unquestionably, ass-kicking and name-taking 100%, with no chance of re-injury, then he needs to play, bye week or no bye week.

If he’s ANYTHING less, let him get the rest, and go take care of business.

Kubiak believes in you

by JayRedd on Nov 10, 2011 11:11 PM CST reply actions

This is pretty cool

http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/11/10/8743372-preparations-underway-for-historic-hoops-game-on-board-uss-carl-vinson

I figured that if I said it enough, I would convince the world that I really was the greatest.
~Muhammad Ali

by steelblue on Nov 10, 2011 11:11 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

rec'd

Really looking forward to that. Love the matchup as well.

Kubiak believes in you

by JayRedd on Nov 10, 2011 11:14 PM CST up reply actions

Part of me wants him to rest until after the bye.

But if he’s ready to go on Sunday, let him play. Tampa Bay isn’t going to lay down for us like Cleveland did.

The bird is struggling out of the egg. The egg is the world. Whoever wants to be born, must first destroy a world.

by Stupendous Man on Nov 10, 2011 11:18 PM CST via mobile reply actions

Hmmmm

Kubiak’s been calling a pretty simple game lately. Pound the ball, and control the clock. I think that’s one of the reasons why we’ve been winning. But with Andre back, will Kubiak get cute with the game plan and ultimately cost us the game?

Just a thought.

Capt. Nately: You're a shameful opportunist! What you don't understand is that it's better to die on your feet than to live on your knees.

Old man in whorehouse: You have it backwards. It's better to live on your feet than to die on your knees. I know.

-Catch 22-

by Jordann on Nov 10, 2011 11:50 PM CST reply actions

I am very worried about this.

Also, Schaub loves trying to throw into double and triple coverage just because its Andre… I worry a lot because he is SO talented (Can’t blame him for wanting to throw the ball to Andre, but the WTF calls have vanished since Andre went down)… uugghh… lets just keep the game plan the same and win how we have the last three weeks.

by Kiratomi on Nov 11, 2011 12:42 AM CST up reply actions

You make it sound like

Schaub has a history of doing that when the Texans are playing with lead. Which is kind of this new thing they’re trying this year.

Also, Kubes likes balance, but the upside of our current system is everyone can catch the ball and we have a huge advantage in short and mid range in the pass game, but while we’re running the way we are it doesn’t even matter if Schaub has a “good” game as long as he isn’t turning it over.

by IThinkItsIndecision on Nov 11, 2011 12:55 AM CST up reply actions

wait a second...

we are playing with the lead….???!!!! Im at a loss.

"I see domination in the Texans future, if they can only get the ship into the water. Then, all the doubters can publicly SUCK IT"

"Steven Slaton is the epitome of a 1-hit wonder. I curse him before he even touches the ball to pre-empt the bad things he is about to do before he knows he is going to do it." -Myself-

by HolyCrapADecentDefense on Nov 11, 2011 1:03 AM CST up reply actions

^

kubiak more or less changes it up if we go up by more than 14. less throws, moaaaaaaaaaaar runs! especially in the 4th. i agree with it, eat up as much clock as possible.. much as i love watching the texans play i find myself wishing i could just fast forward to the end to make sure we get the W

Michael: The feeling that you're feeling is what many of us call...a feeling.
Gob: It's not like envy, or even hungry...

Follow @doobieman21

by chrisd21 on Nov 11, 2011 7:50 AM CST up reply actions

It'll change the game plan

I think they’ll be a bit more balanced than run, run, pass.

Andre helps open up other receivers by taking on double teams and forces teams to defend deep which helps backs up front. So long as Schaub doesn’t lock in and only look 80’s way, the offense should be better.

"Lord, beer me strength."

by TexansDC on Nov 11, 2011 11:01 AM CST up reply actions

Like the start of the Browns game..

Oh wait… nm

"The greatest danger in planning for tomorrow is using yesterdays logic."
Marc Kahlberg
"Some ideas are so stupid that only intellectuals believe them." - George Orwell

by Barryfromtexas on Nov 11, 2011 12:19 PM CST up reply actions

Good point

But I think a lot of our wins are simply due to ease of schedule

by brightshinies on Nov 11, 2011 1:51 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Play Andre...

If there is a need for him. Or use him to clear a side of the field for Foster or Tate to break off a huge run. Other than that, rest him up. With the current trend with his condition, if he is 100% by this week, when we play the Glitter Kittens, he should be 120% right?

by Jhua on Nov 11, 2011 2:47 AM CST reply actions

Unleash the beast in Jacksonville

Follow me on twitter: @Super_Stud2100

by Antho10000 on Nov 11, 2011 3:45 AM CST reply actions

NO

He won’t be in the flow after 5 weeks off. Get ti fully rested, no chance of aggravating it, and have him blowing and going the last 6.

by Gabmucs on Nov 11, 2011 6:30 AM CST reply actions

*El Cid

Dress him. That sight alone will scare the Bucs and cause them to run away.

*Spanish History reference

Matt Schwab, Mary O' Williams, Adrian Foster, and Daniel Owens are my favorite Texans!

by MeSoLongHorny on Nov 11, 2011 7:34 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

rec'd for reference that i like

by TiEaB on Nov 11, 2011 7:40 AM CST up reply actions

Played by Charlton Heston.

Dallas Cowboys, all hat and no cattle since 1996.

by Jonathan Fosburgh on Nov 11, 2011 8:19 AM CST up reply actions

i say play him

reason being he is our best player. If he feels he is ready to play and is cleared to play why keep him out? Last time i checked each regular season game is worth the same and I would rather have all of the bullets in the chamber.

by TiEaB on Nov 11, 2011 7:42 AM CST reply actions

Play him

Let him get some rust off, get use to the full-speed game once again. They he’ll have an extra week to rest and let that leg rest so that he can know what to expect from it the next few games. It’s similar to why you play guys like him in the preseason.

by Big T33 on Nov 11, 2011 7:55 AM CST reply actions

play him if hes ready

for two series in the first and second half’s

there is no RIGHT, there is no WRONG, there is only POPULAR OPINION... *cough cough vote Ron Paul cough cough*

by Steelbluecurtain on Nov 11, 2011 8:37 AM CST reply actions

DON'T PLAY HIM!!

We should not need him against Tampa. Let him rest for another 2 weeks, work out, get stronger, so we have a 100% Andre Johnson to go the distance through the play-offs!! As others have said, I would rather have a 100% Andre to finish the season than a 90% Andre for Tampa, only to get hurt again or dinged up and only be 80 or 90% for the rest of the season!! GO TEXANS!!!!

by rbmeoe on Nov 11, 2011 8:41 AM CST reply actions

Absolutely definitely for sure put Dre on the field.

We are playing for playoff positioning at this point, not just to make the playoffs. 7-3 is A LOT better than 6-4 and we need every win we can get in order to secure that first round bye and/or home field throughout.

Besides, Dre doesn’t even need to be included in the offensive scheme; just being on the field will improve our running game as well as our short/intermediate passing game. And if they decide he is a decoy and start to ignor/single coverage Dre? Well then, we get an easy touchdown.

Based on the description I’ve repeatedly heard of this injury and the procedure he had performed in Dallas, the partially torn minor hamstring was simply cut free from the muscle so there isn’t really much chance of re-aggravating that hamstring. I guess it’s possible he could aggravate another hamstring by overcompensating for not having that hamstring’s strength but seems to me to be completely different than Arian’s injury. Dre’s simply isn’t in the equation any more.

PLAY HIM and let’s get to 7-3!

by Mikus318 on Nov 11, 2011 8:55 AM CST reply actions

Side note.

Isn’t it awesome how everyone is talking about playoffs in early November like we expect to be there and not just wishing.

Cheers!

Matt Schwab, Mary O' Williams, Adrian Foster, and Daniel Owens are my favorite Texans!

by MeSoLongHorny on Nov 11, 2011 8:57 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

Very effing awesome!

And not just playoffs but playoff positioning and going deep into the playoffs as well. It has been so long since us Houston football fans could realistically expect it.

by Mikus318 on Nov 11, 2011 8:58 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

I don't expect to just be there

I expect the Texans to be drinking champagne instead of playing during wildcard weekend.

Follow Me on Twitter @WhiskeyR9

by WhiskeyR on Nov 11, 2011 9:11 AM CST up reply actions

And I expect to be one drunk motherfucker

when that happens!

Matt Schwab, Mary O' Williams, Adrian Foster, and Daniel Owens are my favorite Texans!

by MeSoLongHorny on Nov 11, 2011 10:14 AM CST up reply actions

If Andre is cleared to play

they will not be able to keep him off of the field, the man is a competitor, he wants to be out there more than anything in the world right now. he can’t stand to watch every one else have all the fun.

Beer, it's not just for breakfast anymore

by Chrxtopher on Nov 11, 2011 9:20 AM CST reply actions

It would be tough

Dude’s been waiting to be a part of a winning Texans team forever…and he can’t play. He will be so fucking dominant when he does return.

Follow me on twitter: @Super_Stud2100

by Antho10000 on Nov 11, 2011 10:54 AM CST up reply actions

by Mumford on Nov 11, 2011 12:14 PM CST via iPhone app reply actions

Have you seen this

This specimen needs a stern talking too
http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.com/mac-engel/2011/11/cbs-picks-cowboys-over-texans.html

by CostaRica Texans on Nov 11, 2011 12:19 PM CST reply actions

What?

Diehard fans south as those who live in a city that feels like the inside of someone’s mouth should be rewarded with a playoff game every now and then.

Dallas Cowboys, all hat and no cattle since 1996.

by Jonathan Fosburgh on Nov 11, 2011 12:27 PM CST up reply actions

Like I said it made my mouth boil

But despite this new, cute success by the Texans they are still not any bigger than what is right now an average Dallas Cowboys professional football team.

by CostaRica Texans on Nov 11, 2011 12:39 PM CST up reply actions

by Jonathan Fosburgh on Nov 11, 2011 4:16 PM CST up reply actions

If he is ready to play - you play him

Because if you are sitting him, it is for no reason.

Play the man ~~Rick!~~ Kubes!

"The greatest danger in planning for tomorrow is using yesterdays logic."
Marc Kahlberg
"Some ideas are so stupid that only intellectuals believe them." - George Orwell

by Barryfromtexas on Nov 11, 2011 12:21 PM CST reply actions