Notes from the Texans' practice and locker room on Friday at Reliant Stadium:
Johnson's OutlookFor the third straight day, wide receiver Andre Johnson did not practice. He discussed that, his likelihood for Sunday and more, in this story.
Manning schedule
Johnson's injury wasn't the only health topic of conversation on Friday for Texans head coach Gary Kubiak. He offered up some promising news about free safety Danieal Manning, who's recovering from a broken left tibia he suffered at Tennessee.
"Danieal Manning is coming along very well," Kubiak said. "It's amazing to see what he's doing in the training room right now."
Manning had surgery on the leg less than two weeks ago, and Kubiak is encouraged by what he's seen from the veteran safety.
"I know he's on schedule," Kubiak said. "I don't want to put too much pressure on him and say he's ahead. I just know he's doing very good."
Ogbonnaya returns
Cleveland running back and former Texans ball-carrier Chris Ogbonnaya will suit up in Reliant Stadium Sunday against his former teammates, some of whom are quite happy for the Houston native.
"I'm happy for him," Texans defensive end Antonio Smith said. "I'm an underdog fan, so if he makes his claim for the Browns, I'm more happy for him."
Even though Smith likes that his former teammate has found success elsewhere, don't expect him to ease up on Ogbonnaya. "He's my boy, but we got to hit him," Smith said. "I think he'd understand though. Don't you think?"
Losing a bet
During Johnson's time with the media Friday in the locker room, he reluctantly wore a bright orange University of Virginia hooded sweatshirt. Johnson starred collegiately at Miami, and the Hurricanes fell to Matt Schaub's Cavaliers a week ago Thursday in south Florida. The Hurricanes loss forced Johnson to don the sweatshirt.
"I lost a bet to Matt," Johnson said. "It doesn't feel good. I've been wearing it for two years now. Something needs to change."
Schaub lockers a first down across the room from Johnson, was quick to give tips to the media surrounding the former Hurricane, telling them to make sure and shoot wide so the 'Virginia' on the sweatshirt was captured in the interview.
Quotable
"When I saw him running in preseason, I was like, 'He's finally getting his chance.' You know, numbers and things happened here and he gets put on the practice squad, but I really hope that he does great there." –Defensive end Antonio Smith on Cleveland running back Chris Ogbonnaya.
