Rookie linebacker Brian Cushing was kept at home on Wednesday for precautionary reasons after contracting flu-like symptoms.
Rookie linebacker Brian Cushing was not with the team on Wednesday due to flu-like symptoms. Several Texans players have fallen ill since rookie tight end Anthony Hill was hospitalized with the swine flu last week, but Hill is the only Texans player with a confirmed case of the H1N1 virus.
Head coach Gary Kubiak expects Cushing, who leads the team with 33 tackles, to recover in time to play on Sunday.
"I spent some time with him last night about 5 o'clock in the training room, and I think about 6:30, 7, he called (head athletic trainer) Geoff (Kaplan) to say he wasn't feeling well," Kubiak said. "They went to the house and got him to the doctor and basically kept him home for preventative reasons today. He should be back tomorrow."
Hill was released from the hospital last week and returned to team activities today. Starting free safety Eugene Wilson missed the Raiders game with flu-like symptoms after reportedly becoming so ill on Sunday morning that he could barely walk. Quarterback Matt Schaub and linebacker Xavier Adibi also were ill over the weekend.
"We've obviously got some guys who are having some issues, and so we're just trying to stay on top of it and do the smart thing with each one here," Kubiak said. "Obviously, it's been an issue here for a few days. It has calmed down. The guys that we've had problems with are back out here today.
{QUOTE}"Hopefully it stops, but I think Brian's going to be fine. All indications, I've been told he's doing fine and he should be back in the morning."
Defensive end Mario Williams also missed practice on Wednesday with a bruised shoulder. The 2008 Pro Bowler was described by Kubiak as day-to-day. Kubiak was asked if there is a doubt that Williams could play on Sunday.
"Well, the fact that he didn't practice today, obviously," Kubiak said. "But we've got a long way to go."
Williams' injury did not cause him to miss a snap in the game against the Raiders, which Kubiak called an encouraging sign.
"We're just going to be smart with him this week," he said. "Mario could play without practicing. He's had enough reps, so we'll be smart with him and I guess I'll let you all know day to day."
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