Antonio Smith misses another practice with sore ankle

Posted Sep 13, 2012

Texans defensive end Antonio Smith has yet to practice this week because of an ankle injury suffered against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

Smith, a defensive captain and 2011 Pro Bowler, is expected to play against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2. But his right ankle was sore enough to keep him off the field on Wednesday and Thursday.

“I think he could’ve practiced today,” Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. “We decided to hold him. I expect him to be back on the field tomorrow. I’m not at the concerned stage yet. When Antonio tells you ‘I’ll be fine; I’ll be ready to go,’ you trust him. He’s always been that way… Heck, I can’t remember the last time he’s missed a day or two. I’m not concerned right now. We’ll see where we are at tomorrow.”

Smith said he does not know what happened to his ankle, which he had minor surgery on this offseason. Dolphins guard Richie Incognito can be seen holding on to Smith’s left ankle in video footage of a play late in the second quarter of Sunday’s game. Smith’s injury is to his right ankle.

Smith accused Incognito of dirty play after the game on Sunday. When asked about his injury on Thursday, he did not mention the Dolphins offensive lineman.

“I don’t know (what happened),” Smith said. “I’m serious. It was aching after the game, and probably Monday after the inflammation went down, the swelling went down, it was just a sharp pain. It feels a lot better today. Yesterday, no bueno, but today, it felt a lot better. I will be alright.”

If Smith is limited in any way against Jacksonville, fourth-year defensive end Tim Jamison and rookie defensive end Jared Crick would be next in line for reps. Jamison signed a two-year contract extension on Saturday and had one sack and one pass defensed in the regular-season opener.

Pro Bowl running back Arian Foster and cornerback Johnathan Joseph were full participants in practice on Thursday after being limited by illness on Wednesday. Linebacker Brian Cushing was listed as limited with a ribs injury, but his status for Sunday’s game is not in question.