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Texans special teams captain Tim Dobbins did not practice on Wednesday because of a hamstring injury. Coach Gary Kubiak said he will likely be a game-time decision in Week 3.

Dobbins was injured against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. The veteran inside linebacker is tied for the team lead with three special teams tackles through two games and was the Texans’ special teams player of the game in Week 2.

Outside linebacker Bryan Braman did practice Wednesday after missing the first two games with a hamstring injury of his own. Like Dobbins, Braman is one of the Texans’ best special teams players.

“He practiced pretty good Wednesday last week,” Kubiak said. “About halfway through Thursday, (he) had some problems, so he’s been back and forth trying to come off a hamstring. Hopefully, we can get him to Sunday this week. He needs a game under his belt. He’s missed a lot of time, and he’s very important to what we do special teams-wise.”

Braman suffered his injury in the third preseason game against the New Orleans Saints.

Special teams has been an area of concern for the Texans during their 2-0 start. They rank 28th in punt return average allowed (21.6 yards), which includes a 72-yard touchdown return by the Dolphins in Week 1. They rank 23rd in kickoff return average (23.0 yards) and are tied for 21st in kickoff return average allowed (26.0).

The Texans rank eighth in punt return average (13.0), but they had three illegal blocking penalties on Sunday and Trindon Holliday muffed a punt that bounced out of bounds.


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