As he did in the first three preseason games, Shiloh Keo will begin the regular season as the starter at free safety. Ed Reed practiced again Saturday, but head coach Gary Kubiak said Keo will be on the field with the first-team defense against the Chargers on Monday night.
"Obviously, Shiloh will start the game," Kubiak said. "So we've got a lot of time on our hands, but Shiloh will start and we'll make a decision on Ed here as we get together and visit."
Keo said Saturday that the experience he's gained with all the training camp and preseason reps has made the game slow down a bit.
"As the years build up under your belt, it becomes more natural," Keo said. "More second-nature. You're able to think less out there and just run around and play football."
Reed is coming back from a hip injury, and said on Thursday that whether he plays or not will be determined just before the game.
"You just want to be smart and you don't want to hurt the team," Reed said. "That's the main thing. You want to be able to be effective to where you're not hurting the team when you get out there."
Kubiak said Reed practiced the same as he did on Friday. Keo, a third-year veteran, thinks this year's defense is ready to go.
"It's going to be great," Keo said. "We've worked to be great every year, and our workmanship hasn't changed. We bring our lunchpails every day to practice and that's when we win games. We win games during the week. Not just on Sundays, or in this case Monday."
The Texans leave for San Diego on Sunday afternoon, and will face the Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium Monday night at 9:20 p.m. CT.
