After tight end Owen Daniels was placed on the active/Physically Unable to Perform list on Friday, Texans coach Gary Kubiak said the team is still hoping the 2008 Pro Bowler will be ready to play in the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 12.
Daniels, who has been riding a stationary bike instead of practicing in the first three days of training camp, has his eyes on the same goal as he continues to rehab from a torn right ACL.
"I think we're just getting everything right to be ready for Week 1," he said after practice on Sunday morning, nine months to the day since being injured on Nov. 1 at Buffalo. "I'll be ready to go for September. That's been the plan all along. We always want to be ready as far in advance as possible, but you've just got to roll with the punches and listen to what the doctor says. I'll be out here running next week; just doing the bike for now and working back into things. But I feel really good. I feel really good."
Kubiak is anxious to see how Daniels responds to an increased level of rehab.
"All of our focus is for him to get ready for the Colts," Kubiak said on Saturday. "We are going to know a lot more about Owen in the next two weeks. His rehab looks good. He's picked it up and I've been watching him every morning. I think Owen is as good a worker as I've been around, so if anybody is going to make it to that spot, then he has an excellent chance. We'll be smart with him."
Daniels is well-versed with his current rehab, having recovered from a torn left ACL in high school and a torn left ACL and MCL in college. He said it helps to have been through the process before because he knows the different plateaus on his path to recovery. He also isn't deterred by not being able to practice in the early parts of training camp.
"(Opening day) is still six weeks from today officially, so I have confidence I can get myself ready," he said. "I'd like to get out there and practice as much as I can. But if it comes down to me practicing just for a couple of weeks, I've been doing this long enough I think I can get prepared and be ready."
