News

Texans training camp is officially in the books.

After playing two games in five days last week, the Texans had a walkthrough practice on Monday morning at the Methodist Training Center. They’ll switch to their in-season practice schedule on Tuesday in advance of their third preseason game at San Francisco.

The Texans practiced in 100-degree weather for three weeks after starting camp on July 31.

“I think it’s been good,” Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. “Obviously, the heat’s been very, very difficult, but I think our football team is in excellent shape. I like the way we’re holding up as far as our wind and stuff, watching us play. We’re basically done (with camp) today and get on our routine this week the way we do things in a normal season.”

Kubiak said that the Texans’ starters will play for three quarters on Saturday night against the 49ers. The third preseason game is the final tune-up each year for most first-stringers, who will likely sit out of the Texans’ preseason finale at Minnesota on Sept. 1.

“We view it as a regular-season game,” quarterback Matt Schaub said. “We prepare much the same as we would schedule-wise and practice-wise with our reps and how we go about our business on a weekly basis… (We) go out there with our full game plan and get after it.”

The Texans had a string of nagging injuries in camp, including hamstring injuries to several running backs and wide receivers. Receiver Andre Johnson, who missed time with a dislocated finger, was happy with how the team fared overall.

“I wish I could have been out there more, barring an injury or whatever, but I think it went good,” Johnson said. “I think this team is very focused at being a great football team this year.  We’re expecting a lot out of each other, and we’re just going to keep working.”

Because of question marks surrounding other teams in the AFC South, Johnson was asked if this season is the Texans’ best chance to make the playoffs.

The five-time Pro Bowler, who has been with the Texans since 2003, declined to take the bait.

“We said that last year,” he said. “We said that the year before that. All that doesn’t matter unless you go out and win games. That’s the biggest thing right now is just going out and winning. We just have to take it one game at a time, and our main focus right now is getting ready for September 11 (against the Colts). That’s what we’re trying to do.”