As expected, Pro Bowl cornerback Johnathan Joseph did not practice on Thursday because of a sore groin.
Joseph will practice on Friday, and Texans coaches are optimistic he will play against the Baltimore Ravens. Joseph shares that optimism "other than if my groin was to fail me," which he plans to gauge at practice on Friday and possibly again on Sunday morning.
"I think it'll be a game-time decision," Joseph said. "Ultimately, I want to go out tomorrow and kind of test it, just to give myself an idea exactly where I'm at."
Texans coach Gary Kubiak was optimistic on Thursday about Joseph facing the Ravens.
"I'm thinking very positive about it, just me watching him," Kubiak said. "I really had him do nothing yesterday. He did work with the trainers today. He's very upbeat, so we'll see where we're at tomorrow, but I've felt pretty good about him being there for us on Sunday."
Joseph's groin first started bothering him three weeks ago before the Texans played the Tennessee Titans in Week 4. He did not practice that Wednesday and was limited that Thursday and Friday, then played in the game without any issues.
Joseph said the injury "disappeared, then it flared back up again." He has uncharacteristically given up several big passing plays in the last two games. He did not use his injury as an excuse for his play.
"It's kind of hard to say on a scale of one to 10," Joseph said of how much his groin bothered him Sunday against the Packers. "It is something that you just want to get behind you and move away from it, but obviously, it's still here, so (I'm) taking it day by day."
Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said Thursday that he didn't know if Joseph's injury has affected his coverage in the last two games. Like Kubiak, Phillips is optimistic about Joseph's chances to face the Ravens.
"I think J-Jo is going to be fine," Phillips said. "We had this a couple weeks ago. We had to keep him out of practice some, but he played well in that ballgame. I'm hoping the same thing happens."
If Joseph does not play, nickel corner Brice McCain would start in his place. Cornerback Alan Ball also would play more.
Texans right guard Antoine Caldwell was limited in practice again Thursday after suffering a concussion against the Packers. Caldwell has not been cleared to play in a game.
Running back Arian Foster, wide receiver Andre Johnson, defensive end Antonio Smith and tight end Owen Daniels all practiced fully on Thursday after being limited for rest purposes on Wednesday.
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