The Texans will have a short week to get ready for Sunday's game at Green Bay. Coach Gary Kubiak said he expects quarterback Matt Schaub to be in the starting lineup when they make their first trip to Lambeau Field.
Schaub slated to start: Coach Gary Kubiak said in his press conference on Tuesday that he expects Matt Schaub to start at Green Bay on Sunday.
"I think if everything goes OK this week, then expectations are that he (Schaub) goes back into his role as our starter," Kubiak said. "But let's wait and see how he works this week. He did come in today and work out, and that went good."
{QUOTE}Schaub practiced with the team last week for the first time since tearing his MCL and he backed up Sage Rosenfels in Monday's game against Jacksonville. Schaub has been ahead of schedule in his rehab and told Kubiak he could play in the Monday night game.
"He was beating my door down last week telling me he was ready," Kubiak said. "But as I studied him, I was comparing his work before he got injured to how he was practicing last week and I saw a little bit of a difference of Wednesday and Thursday. I thought he closed the gap on Friday when he practiced more.
"I'm expecting him to close the gap even more this week, but that's something that we have to deal with. There are players that don't think they can go that you have to push to go. That happens and then there are guys that tell you, 'Hey, I'm fine. I'm going, I'm playing,' and you have to stop them and say, 'No, not yet you're not.'"
Kubiak said that team doctors felt good about Schaub playing in a back up role against the Jags, but that the extra rest would help him get ready for a cold and icy environment like Green Bay.
Defense hitting its stride: The Texans have been more aggressive on defense the last two weeks. They recorded two forced fumbles and an interception against Jacksonville. Defensive end Mario Williams sacked David Garrard three times.
The Texans have eight takeaways in the last two games combined. Why did the play calling get more aggressive? Kubiak said it's because the unit has started to gel after going through various lineup changes.
"We've had the same guys on the field for a couple of week on defense, which we couldn't say earlier in the year," Kubiak said. "We settled down from that stand point at safety, with Dunta (Robinson) going back to his spot, with (Xavier) Adibi and (Kevin) Bentley. I think their just playing better together right now, and it's turning into some plays."
Robinson returned to his starting position at right cornerback at Cleveland two weeks ago, and the Texans proceeded to call 11 blitzes and their corners were flying around and making plays.
Adibi, a fourth-round draft pick, and Bentley were inserted into the starting lineup because of injuries at linebacker and have settling into their positions.
The Texans' new brand of defense has helped them win the turnover battle in the last two games. They have won the turnover battle three times all season and won the all three of those games.
"We're still making mistakes, and we're having people move the ball," Kubiak said. "This team moved the ball on us last night. They had 380 yards of offense, but we're coming up with turnovers. We're coming up with plays.
"We come up with a big play, things that are getting us off of the field. So, to me, it boils down to guys doing a little bit more, and they'll be tested as well as they've been tested all year long down there in Green Bay."
Pittman suspended by NFL: The NFL announced Tuesday after Kubiak's press conference that six players would be suspended for violating the league's steroid policy. Texans long snapper Bryan Pittman was included in that list and will miss the last four games of the season.
The other players to receive the four-game suspension without pay included Charles Grant, Deuce McAllister and Will Smith from New Orleans, and Minnesota defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams.
The Texans had prepared for the suspension, signing tight end Clark Harris to the practice squad on Nov. 4.
To read more about the suspension, click **here**.
Injury notes: Defensive end Anthony Weaver injured his knee on Monday and received an injection on Tuesday. He was the team's biggest injury concern coming out of the game.
Running back Steve Slaton entered the game with chest soreness, but left the game without any setbacks.
"He was exceptional in the game," Kubiak said. "He played extremely well, got stronger as the game went on."
