Kubiak "Stopped Short" Of Declaring Matt Schaub Ready For Opener

It's from the good old national media, so take it for what it is worth. I am more inclined to listen to the local guys who cover the team (The Chronicle's Twitter is saying Schaub is expected to start), but thought this was worth passing along:

Texans quarterback Matt Schaub returned to practice Tuesday, though it's not clear whether he will start against the New York Jets in Sunday's season opener.

Schaub took half the snaps in practice, his first significant work since he sprained his left ankle during a Aug. 31 preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings. He is listed as day-to-day.

"He took a big step forward (Tuesday)," Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. "He's progressing toward getting ready to go, so it's a positive move forward for him."

Kubiak stopped short of saying Schaub, who has missed five games in each of the last two seasons with injuries, would start against the Jets. The coach did announce that Rex Grossman would be Houston's No. 2 quarterback this week.

Also:

"Matt is hobbled, so they've got to be ready to go," Kubiak said. "But as I told Dan and Rex, I'm leaning toward Rex's experience and the way he handled himself, handled the team the other night. I'm kind of drawing from what I've seen him do in the past and (am) just very comfortable with him right now."

Hopefully, Kubiak is pulling a Belichick and not announcing his injuries until it is mandatory. Trying to keep your opponent guessing. If not, the Schaub haters are going to be out in full force at Reliant this Sunday...