Defensive end Mario Williams continues to heal his bruisted shoulder.
Because of rain on Friday morning, the Texans practiced indoors at the Methodist Training Center. Simulated crowd noise was played over loudspeakers at times.
Mario returns: Defensive end Mario Williams was back at practice Friday morning after missing the previous two days of work due to a bruised shoulder. The team leader in sacks suffered the injury Sunday during the victory over the Raiders.
Today, Williams came back and worked, but there's still a question of whether or not he'll suit up on Sunday in Arizona.
"He practiced and was a little tender but we got some good work out of him," head coach Gary Kubiak said. "I'd say he's a game time decision. We'll get him up Sunday morning and work him out and see where he's at. But we think he has a good chance."
Since the beginning of his career in 2006, Williams has never missed a game, starting all 16 contests in three consecutive seasons. Through the first quarter of the 2009 campaign, Williams has registered 18 total tackles and the two sacks, along with one forced fumble.
Secondary additions: The long road back from injury for a pair of cornerbacks appears to be complete. Jacques Reeves, who broke his left fibula early in August during training camp, was ready to go for last week's contest with the Raiders. But he dislocated his right pinky finger a week ago Wednesday, and couldn't suit up in the win over Oakland. Reeves practiced all this week, and will likely see action on the road in Arizona.
Cornerback Antwaun Molden is coming back from a quadriceps injury and has yet to see the field in 2009. According to Kubiak, it's not likely he'll see time versus the Cardinals.
"Molden has worked this week, but I think there's a pretty good chance he doesn't go Sunday," Kubiak said. "But Jacques (Reeves) looked good, so we're OK."
What flu?: Linebacker Brian Cushing was held out of Wednesday's practice because of flu-like symptoms, but he was back at the team facilities that evening watching tape. Cushing practiced Thursday and Friday and remarked on Thursday that "it was just a cold". Kubiak commented Friday on the team's health with regard to that illness and said it looks like the bug has passed.
"We haven't had any problems," Kubiak said. "Brian's back, so we're OK. After everything we've been through it looks like we're good. We'll keep our fingers crossed."
