Coach Gary Kubiak expressed concern after Andre Johnson suffered a lung contusion against the 49ers.
Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson missed the bulk of Wednesday's practice with a lung contusion, but head coach Gary Kubiak expects the All-Pro pass catcher to play in Sunday's contest with the Bills.
"Andre ran a bunch today, and did the pre-practice stuff," Kubiak said. "But (he) did not practice. But he took a step forward today. He did not participate in practice but I'm encouraged by what he did."
Kubiak was enthused by Johnson's limited work and explained briefly the timeframe for his return to action.
"If there are no setbacks, I think we'll be smart with him, get him to Friday, and see where we're at. I feel good about what I saw him do today."
But Johnson feels even better about playing Sunday in Buffalo.
"They might have to cut my leg off to keep me from going out there," Johnson said today in the locker room. "I'll be out there. I don't see why I wouldn't."
Johnson's willingness to return despite the lung bruise didn't surprise quarterback Matt Schaub.
"That doesn't shock me one bit, not at all," Schaub said of his favorite target. "He's a tough guy and he's going to go out there and be ready for his team and be ready to go."
Johnson absorbed a tough hit in the first half but played on and said he wasn't feeling any pain. Early in the fourth quarter he caught his final pass of the day for a 44-yard completion, and two plays later was on his knees, and had to leave the game.
"I was kind of choking, because I was spitting up blood. That's when I fell down to the ground. I felt like I was able to go back out and play, but they wouldn't let me go."
Johnson went to an area hospital for treatment on Sunday, and said today that he'll undergo a "scan" tomorrow as well. That scan, he explained, will look at his lungs.
The Pro Bowler also said that his equipment might get tweaked to add protection to any vulnerable areas on his body.
"They have a (equipment) guy coming in that's going to see what padding he can put on the back of my shoulder pads," Johnson said. "Maybe some extra padding and things like that. That should help me out."
The Texans practice Thursday and Friday before leaving on Saturday for Buffalo, and Johnson said the results of Thursday's scan will determine whether or not he can fully participate in either of the two remaining practices prior to the Bills game.
To read the update on Johnson from Monday, click **here**.
