If this was Week 5, maybe it wouldn't look so bad.
Brian Cushing would be back after serving his suspension, Xavier Adibi's groin will have healed, Danny Clark's knee would be feeling better, and DeMeco Ryans and Zac Diles would still be plugging away having survived the final two weeks of preseason and the first four weeks of regular season.
But it's not Week 5 and the Texans linebacker situation, once viewed as a team strength, now looks pretty puny.
Adding to the lack of strength in numbers, Gary Kubiak said after practice today that Darryl Sharpton has a swollen knee. "I think he'll be okay, but he'll be day to day," said Kubiak.
Wonderful. So let's take inventory:
- DeMeco Ryans (check) ... knocking on every tree in East Texas
- Zac Diles (check) ... ditto
- Brian Cushing (suspended, but will play a bunch in the final two preseason games)
- Kevin Bentley (special teams captain will be seeing more duty at LB in preseason because of injuries)
- Xavier Adibi (groin injury, return uncertain)
- Danny Clark (sprained knee, return uncertain)
- Darryl Sharpton (rookie, swollen knee, day to day)
- Darnell Bing (IR, out for season)
- Isaiah Greenhouse (undrafted rookie)
- Will Patterson (undrafted rookie re-signed a few days ago to replace Bing)
So how's that make you feel?
Here's what Kubiak said about the possibility of signing a free agent linebacker: "We're at a point right now where it's tough to bring somebody off the street and throw them in a game, especially when you're about to play your starters for three quarters. We just got to work through the problem. It may be a thought when we go into next week, but the way we're approaching this game is basically with our starters. We just got to push through and make it work."
So it seems like the Texans approach to their depleted linebacker corps is to play Ryans, Cushing and Diles three quarters Saturday night and then cross some fingers and toes for the rest to fall into place.
I've been watching football since Hank Stram was calling 65 toss power traps but I honestly can't recall where this 'play the starters three quarters in Preseason Week 3' tradition got started.
In the context of a few key players commanding zillion dollar salaries, do you really think Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson and DeMeco Ryans have forgotten what it's like to come out of the locker room and play a third quarter? Do the benefits of preseason reps in the interest of operating rhythm (or winning a game) outweigh the risks of injury when it comes to franchise players?
The Texans need Adibi and Clark to get healthy soon and for Sharpton's knee to settle down. Maybe it's just me but when I hear the term 'swollen knee' I get concerned.
Bottom line is that the Texans can ill afford another injury to a linebacker - and I worry about wearing out DeMeco before Week 1. Like Andre Johnson, he's another guy who certainly doesn't need the reps.
Troy Evans was just released by the Saints. Seems like a no brainer to me.
Comments
Alan, I think the probably with bringing in a LB, at this point, is that it's a very unattractive spot to come to because a player is only going to get a few days with the Texans before he is released. Whey wouldn't Evans attach himself to a team where he has a chance to make the roster? Maybe they should work on their nickel packages more.. After all, that's what they'll be playing most of the time in week one.
Wow, a comment! The site is finally coming back to life!
If they are not concerned about Adibi or Clark returning to good health then I agree dalemurphy. Otherwise, I think they are looking and besides keeping Greenhouse on ps, they might sign another after final cuts.
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