News & Info/Headlines

As reported by the Houston Chronicle, the groin injury limiting him in practice this week isn't expected to keep place-kicker Kris Brown out of Sunday's game against Kansas City. Brown suffered the injury during pre-game warmups last Sunday and made a 30-yard field goal despite the pain.

Brown, who is on an injury report for the first time in his five-year career, hoped to resume kicking today.

"It's getting better," he said on Wednesday. "It's gotten a lot better since Sunday. It's just tight. If we're just smart this week as far as how much I'm kicking, I think I'll be ready to go Sunday."

And if he isn't?

Much like the Titans fell back on punter Craig Hentrich when Joe Nedney went down against the Raiders two weeks ago, the Texans would turn to punter Chad Stanley in the even Brown suffers a setback.

However, Stanley doesn't put himself in the same category as Hentrich, who was a kicker in college -- and who nailed three crucial field goal attempts after Nedney was injured.

"It depends on whether I could use a tee or not," Stanley joked. "I've been thinking about it lately, but I think Kris is going to be fine. I worked on it back in college and actually hit a 50-yarder one day off turf, but there was no rush or anything like that.

"I don't really feel comfortable kicking field goals. For one, I don't think I would do well at it. Secondly, that's a kicking motion that is really hard on muscles that aren't used to that kind of strain. That particular movement is so much different than punting; it just would not be a good thing for me."

Also of interest. ...

According to Chronicle beat man Joseph Duarte, David Carr is becoming outspoken in his leadership, and one of his strongest messages is the Texans' need to make plays when they are there to be made.

Specifically, Carr pointed out a dropped pass by Andre Johnson on a third-and-13 play last Sunday and a ball that was knocked loose from tight end Billy Miller and returned for a touchdown.

"When we get opportunities to make plays, we have to make them," Carr said. "There are no excuses. I'm not going to pick on Andre, but he knows he should have caught the ball. There are other plays in the game. Billy should have caught that ball that turned into an interception.

"I'm not picking on those guys at all because they're good football players and they usually make those plays, but when you don't make them, the game gets out of hand and then your team looks bad.

"Andre is going to make plays, and Billy is going to make plays the next 14 games for us. I'm not going to worry about those guys at all."

And finally. ...

Pro Football Weekly, reporting on Jabar Gaffney's promotion to the No. 2 spot over Corey Bradford, suggested that Gaffney is a better all-around receiver and noted that offensive coordinator Chris Palmer said Gaffney has the skills to be a No. 1 receiver in the future.

To which I would suggest: Not as long as he and Johnson are both on Houston's roster.