Ed Reed was "very, very close" to playing in Sunday's game against Tennessee. A game-time decision, Reed was listed as inactive just prior to the start of the Texans home opener at Reliant Stadium.
"We were very, very close yesterday," head coach Gary Kubiak said Monday. "I can tell you that. I mean it was a long conversation but we thought we made the right decision yesterday to continue to move forward. It's going to be a long season and we want him there for the long haul. So, like I said, we'll just keep going. Today's another good day and we are very close."
Reed was limited in practice last week but did do an extensive pre-game workout on the field before the San Diego and Tennessee games. When asked if Reed would be ready in time for the Baltimore game, Kubiak remained optimistic but said Reed's status would be monitored as the week progressed.
"No, I wouldn't say that," Kubiak said about Reed playing next Sunday. "I say he's doing great. He ran with the team today. I think he's right where we kind of thought he would be and we're still in a day-to-day process, but he's doing very well."
Reed's rehab from hip injury has sidelined him for the first two games of the regular season but his long-awaited debut as a Texan could ironically happen at M&T Stadium, where he has played 86 games in his regular and postseason career. Reed began practicing with the team after being removed from the Physically Unable to Perform list last month. The decision to play Reed has been a combination of the All-Pro safety's and the team's comfort level with the recovery and rehab process.
"There's nothing specific I'm looking for," Kubiak said. "I think it's a combination of everybody looking for those explosive movements from the middle of the field to the sidelines, breaking on the ball, those types of things. Just to where it looks the way it has in the past and the way Ed knows it's supposed to look. There's a lot of people involved in the process."
Last week, Kubiak discussed the possibility of Reed coming off the bench upon returning with Shiloh Keo remaining the starter. Kubiak declined to comment on whether or not Reed would still be playing off the bench if ready to face Baltimore.
"We're going to listen to him," Kubiak said. "I think we're at the point right now where he's really strong in his movements and what he's doing and when he's ready to go, it's time to go. Let's take it a day at a time. Let's get there first. I think the arrow is pointing way up right now."
