Gary Kubiak and QB Matt Schaub practiced for the final time prior to Sunday's contest in Cincinnati
The Texans practiced outside Friday at the Methodist Training Center in preparation for their Sunday showdown with the Bengals in Cincinnati.
Right turns: With Mike Brisiel out for the rest of the season due to a Lisfranc injury to his left foot, head coach Gary Kubiak and the Texans turn to Chris White and rookie Antoine Caldwell to take his spot. White will start Sunday against the Bengals, but Kubiak said both will see action in the game.
"They're going to split time in the game," Kubiak said. "Chris is going to start the game, being a veteran player. They'll split the time right down the middle, unless one of them is just playing his tail off. We expect to come out of the game and be able to evaluate them right down the middle."
White, a fifth-year pro out of Southern Miss, will make his first-career start.
"It's part of the game, so I'm just going to take my opportunity when it's given to me and play," White said. "If (Caldwell) gets the chance to play, as I told him before, ball out. If I get a chance to play, (I'll) ball out."
White is excited about the opportunity to hit the field and get some more playing time.
"It's definitely a chance that I've been waiting on," White said. "Hopefully, I'll get in there and just make the most of it."
Kubiak expects both White and Caldwell to play well.
"Obviously, we need them to step up very big," Kubiak said. "Between the two of them, we need them to hold down that spot and play well. We're kind of venturing off into a new area here with these young players up front, which is different, but I expect them to do their job."
White says he's willing to play wherever the coaches ask him to.
{QUOTE}"If they need me to pay tackle, even though I don't play tackle, if they needed me there, I'll do it," he said. "If they wanted me to play punter, I'll give it a try. Wherever they need me to be, that's where I'm going to go."
Embracing "The Jungle": Receiver Kevin Walter started his NFL career in Cincinnati, playing with the Bengals from 2003-05. Last season against his former ballclub, Walter caught five passes for 70 yards and a pair of touchdowns. That game was at Reliant Stadium. Sunday's takes place at Paul Brown Stadium, and Walter is excited about playing on the road in a familiar place.
"Going back to The Jungle? They're going to have Guns N' Roses playing during opening kickoff," Walter said. "I'm already jacked just talking about it. I'm excited to be there, and I enjoy playing at that field."
In his time as a Bengal, Walter played in 43 games, starting twice during the 2005 season, and caught one . He still keeps in touch with some of his former teammates, including quarterback Carson Palmer.
"They're excited," Walter said. "They told me not to do what I did last year. I said 'Alright, man. We'll see you Sunday.'"
Health update: For the second straight day, defensive tackle Shaun Cody did not practice because of illness, and he's listed as questionable for the Cincinnati game.
Kubiak said he and the Texans will monitor Cody over the next 24 hours, but that he talked with the former USC Trojan and that he's "doing better."
DelJuan Robinson and Frank Okam will be ready to play if Cody can't, and Kubiak also is thankful that veteran Jeff Zgonina has provided some much-needed help on the interior of the d-line.
"He's been playing as good as anybody we've got," Kubiak said of the 39-year-old Zgonina. "He's been very consistent, very technical. I don't care how old he is, he's going to go out there if he's doing his job."
Kubiak also said that linebacker Brian Cushing is "good to go" for Sunday, despite a foot injury that kept the rookie out of practice on Thursday. Cushing took all of his normal practice reps on Friday.
Injury report:For the official injury report, click **here**.
