Ryan Griffin will likely play on Monday night at Cincinnati.
The tight end has been on injured reserve designated for return since September 15, and will likely come off IR and be added to the 53-man roster. His head coach is looking forward to it, because of the promise Griffin showed during May, June and August.
"At the end of training camp, and then before he got hurt, at the end of OTAs, I mean this guy was doing some really good things," Bill O'Brien said on Friday. "He was one of our more improved players relative to when we first came here. Look forward to him getting back in there."
For Griffin, being back on the practice field with the rest of the Texans, as opposed to a side field with the medical, strength and conditioning staff, is a much welcome change.
"It feels good to be back out there with the teammates," Griffin said. "I'm getting back into the swing of things with my conditioning."
Griffin left the Week 1 loss to the Chiefs an injury to a medial collateral ligament (MCL). He had one catch for 18 yards in that game, and has been on the IR for the last eight weeks. He admitted to being a bit rusty, but O'Brien is still optimistic about the former Connecticut Husky's influence on the offense.
"Griff should be able to go and that will help us," O'Brien said.
The Texans and Bengals kick off on Monday night at 7:30 p.m. CT.
