Texans Week 3 @ Baltimore Ravens - Noon
http://nfl.si.com/2013/09/20/nfl-week-3-preview-houston-texans-baltimore-ravens-atlanta-falcons-miami-dolphins/
Houston (2-0) at Baltimore (1-0) — 1 p.m. ET, CBS: Could this be an AFC title game preview? It might have been a rematch of last season’s AFC championship had the Texans not faltered in the divisional round for the second straight year.
The Texans might be feeling a little more heat in the AFC South these days — Tennessee pushed them to the wire in Week 2, nearly pulling off a win in Houston; and the Colts made what owner Jim Irsay dubbed a “monster trade” Wednesday, landing running back Trent Richardson. We’ll find out just how secure is Houston’s spot atop its division over the next three weeks in games at Baltimore, vs. Seattle and at San Francisco.
This matchup holds some added emotional significance as current Texan Ed Reed makes his return to Baltimore. A member of the Ravens from 2002-12, Reed helped them to last season’s Super Bowl title before departing for Houston.
Reed is beloved in Baltimore. He has been a source of some frustration in Houston thus far. After signing with the Texans, Reed revealed a hip injury that he has yet to shake. Though coach Gary Kubiak declared that Reed may be ready to go Sunday, he has yet to see any action for his new team, either in the regular season or preseason.
With or without Reed, the Texans might have enough to pull off the road win if Baltimore cannot break its early-season sluggishness. The Ravens were waxed by Denver in Week 1, 49-27, then returned home for a rather uninspiring 14-6 victory over Cleveland last Sunday. The defense certainly played better against the Browns than vs. Peyton Manning and the Broncos, but Joe Flacco’s offense has yet to click. An injury to RB Ray Rice (one that might sideline him this week) does not do Flacco any favors.
Defenses may rule the day in the Charm City, though both teams — and especially Houston — feature intriguing offensive weapons. If Andre Johnson, DeAndre Hopkins, Arian Foster and the Texans’ attack go off, is Baltimore capable of answering? – Chris Burke
Injury Report (per Houston Texans)
HOUSTON TEXANS
Thursday (9/19/13)
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
LT Duane Brown Toe
TE Garrett Graham Hip/Groin
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
TE Owen Daniels Rest/Non-injury*
WR Andre Johnson Concussion/Lower Back
FS Ed Reed Hip
LG Wade Smith Knee
FULL PARTICIPATION
ILB Brian Cushing Knee
RB Arian Foster Calf/Chest/Thumb
CB Johnathan Joseph Rest/Non-injury*
ILB Joe Mays Quadricep
CB Brice McCain Knee
C Chris Myers Back
RT Derek Newton Knee/Calf
WR DeVier Posey Achilles/Foot
ILB Darryl Sharpton Hip
RB Ben Tate Shoulder
* - Daniels and Joseph were limited due to a coaches' decision to rest the players on Wednesday. Daniels was limited again on Thursday for the same reason. Joseph was a full participant in practice on Thursday. Neither player is injured.
NOTE: WR Andre Johnson's lower back injury and RB Arian Foster's thumb injury were inadvertently left off Wednesday's report.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
OUT
WR Jacoby Jones Knee
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
LB Arthur Brown Chest
DE Chris Canty Thigh
C Ryan Jensen Foot
RB Ray Rice Hip
WR Deonte Thompson Foot
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
CB Chykie Brown Knee
DT Brandon Williams Toe