The Texans practiced inside the Methodist Training Center Thursday because of rain. They continued to give new players a look in the secondary in an effort to solve their problems on defense.
Reeves out:Cornerback Jacques Reeves will not play this week because of a compound fracture in his right pinky. Reeves was injured during warm-ups for practice on Wednesday. To read more, click **here**.
McNair hopeful: Texans owner Bob McNair was asked what he thought about the criticism that head coach Gary Kubiak has received from media and fans at this point in the season.
"I think it's too early," McNair said. "We've got 13 games to play, and I'm still excited about our team and about our chances.
"We have a chance to go out here and win this game Sunday, and I fully expect us to do that and wind up 2-2. At this stage of the game, could it be better? Yes. But are we in bad shape? No. We have a chance to have a real good year."
Pollard progressing: Safety Bernard Pollard again took reps with the first-team defense as the Texans try to get him up to speed for Sunday's game. Pollard, who was released by the Chiefs on Sept. 5, signed with the Texans last week.
"He's made progress from yesterday to today," Kubiak said. "Like I said, I hope to see him be a contributor on Sunday. How much he plays I think is still up in the air, but he's still going to play."
Rookie CBs stepping up: Rookie cornerbacks Brice McCain and Glover Quin are getting a long look in practice this week as the Texans try to bolster their secondary.
"(McCain) practiced good today, practiced very good today," Kubiak said. "I think both of them can smell blood, so to speak. They know they're fixing to get a chance to play."
{QUOTE}Like McCain, Quin has impressed Kubiak in practice this week.
"He's doing some good stuff, and obviously we're trying to get him and Brice involved more as we move forward," Kubiak said. "We're looking for guys to step up, so he's going to get an opportunity to contribute this week. He's been playing in nickel. Chances are he'll play even more."
Looking for improvement: McNair is frustrated with the Texans' defensive shortcomings, but he expects things to improve with a little more discipline.
"Where we've had problems, it's basically been one player just not carrying out his assignment," McNair said. "All he had to do was to do what he had been taught to do. If you have a busted play in this league, one player breaking down makes the whole defense look bad, but the other 10 guys can be playing very well."
Injuries:Rookie tight end Anthony Hill was in the hospital with pneumonia on Thursday. Cornerback Antwaun Molden continues to sit out of practice with a quad injury
For the full official injury report, click **here**.
