Houston Texans Injury Update: Garrett Graham May Be Out Sunday

The good news today is that Jadeveon Clowney has been medically cleared to return from a concussion he suffered in Denver to play in his first NFL regular season game this Sunday against the Washington Redskins.  The bad news?  TE Garrett Graham may not be playing on Sunday.

Head Coach Bill O'Brien indicated that the injury may be minor, but it could be enough to keep Graham sidelined for the season opener as reported by Will Grubb of CBS Houston / Sports Radio 610:

"It was something in practice," O’Brien said "It’s not a major injury but it’s something that may take more than Sunday to heal up."

"He may not be able to play in the first game," Bill O’Brien said. "He might be available. He’s probably a guy we’ll have to work out on the morning of the game."

That sounds like a "game day decision" for the Texans, who only have three tight ends on the active roster right now.  Second-year Ryan Griffin and rookie C.J. Fiedorowicz will have to pull the sled if Graham isn't ready by Sunday.

Given the importance of a tight end in this offense, I'm frankly amazed that there are only three tight ends on the current roster.  It is highly unusual for an NFL team to have four running backs on the 53-man roster at the start the season, and I suspect Ronnie Brown might have been replaced with an available tight end if Arian Foster had fewer health concerns.

Overall, the Texans enter the regular season in relatively good shape with respect to injuries.  There will be a few, like Brian Cushing and Johnathan Joseph, who need time to knock the rust off after being mostly out of sight during Training Camp.  Let's hope Graham and Foster recover to full strength soon.