The Texans got an early start on Thanksgiving morning, with 6:30 a.m. meetings to start the day. Practice was at 9 a.m., two hours earlier than usual, and ended at 11 before players were dismissed for the holiday.
“They didn’t like waking up at five in the morning, so it took awhile to get going, but they did good,” Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. “We got our work done. Now they can go home and enjoy their families.”
Kubiak said that every player was on time for the 6:30 meeting.
Familiar opponent
The Texans are 4-12 all-time against the Titans, but they have split their last four meetings. The last three games in the series have been decided by three points or less.
“The thing about their team is that they play a lot of games the same way,” Kubiak said. “They play a lot of low-scoring-type games that are decided by a field goal here or there. They find a way to get points.
“They’ve been very productive from a points standpoint with turnovers and their offense in the red zone. Defensively, they are the best team in the red zone (allowing touchdowns at a league-best 32.56 percent rate). All those things that they stand for, running the ball, they end up playing close, low-scoring football games.”
Four of the Titans’ five losses this season have been by eight points or less.
Health check
Defensive end 
“His knee was sore, so I just decided to hold him,” Kubiak said of Cushing. “Other than that, we’re OK.”
Cornerback
“He has to wear a protective cast, but he’s fine,” Kubiak said. “He practiced with it all week. He’s OK to go.”
