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NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Texans and Titans have no big surprises on their inactive lists for Sunday’s big showdown at LP Field.

As expected, Houston receiver Andre Johnson (hamstring) and fullback James Casey (pectoral) won’t play. Trindon Holliday is active and could work as the primary return man.

Titans defensive end William Hayes, who started having back issues late in the week, is a scratch, which creates opportunity for Malcolm Sheppard.

The full lists:

Titans

• QB Rusty Smith
• S Chris Hope
• LB Colin McCarthy
• C Kevin Matthews
• T Byron Stingily
• DT Zach Clayton
• DE William Hayes

Texans

• QB T.J. Yates
• CB Brandon Harris
• G Thomas Austin
• T Andrew Gardner
• WR Andre Johnson
• FB James Casey
• DE Tim Bulman

New players marvel at just how fast the NFL is.

But it's not just the speed of receivers and defensive backs that’s alarming. It’s the pace at which things can change.

On Oct. 2 -- a mere 11 days ago -- the Texans were 3-1 and just about everybody was high on them. Today they are 3-2 and heading into what could qualify as an impossible mission: Go to Baltimore without Andre Johnson and Mario Williams and beat the Ravens.

Just how much less threatening are the Texans without their best player on each side of the ball?

Significantly, just as any team would be with the equivalent subtractions.

“I certainly like guys like Connor Barwin, J.J. Watt and Antonio Smith, but they were all better because of the attention that Mario got,” said Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. “He’s very clearly the top threat when designing pass protection against Houston.

“The same can pretty much be said for Johnson. He just demands so much respect from the opponent and still produces. I expect the tight ends and Arian Foster out of the backfield to be featured more, as they were against Oakland. The Texans will try to become more run-heavy. But if I am the opponent, I am forcing Matt Schaub to win through the air now.

“And I don’t love that for Houston. I am high on the tight ends and Foster as receivers, but not the receivers to really help the cause. To me, these injuries push the Texans from contenders to a team that should still win a weak division, but will be a quick out in the playoffs. Schaub just isn’t that type of quarterback.”

Schaub can move the Texans’ offense like a Secret Service detail moves the president.

But the offense can grind to a halt with an untimely three-and-out. And in the clutch, there are still questions. Will he throw an overtime pick-six like he did the last time the Texans faced Baltimore? Will the clock in his head prompt him to throw the interception that ended last week’s game against Oakland rather than get rid of the ball quickly to get one more snap?

More falls on Schaub when Johnson’s not his primary target and when Williams isn’t helping get the ball back for the offense in favorable spots at favorable times. Like most quarterbacks, Schaub’s better when less is on his plate, not more.

As for the two big absences, I often argue after a free-agent departure or an injury that the guys who are in the huddle aren't concerned about who’s not there with them.

Former NFL offensive lineman Ross Tucker, now of ESPN.com, agrees.

“My take typically is that guys are much more interested in their own situation and their own performance,” Tucker said. “For example: Bummer that Andre and Mario can't play, but I would be much more worried about Haloti Ngata.

“The key is that [coach] Gary Kubiak and the team leaders make it very clear that they don't have any built-in excuses since Mario and Andre are out. Sometimes teams feel like they have that crutch or reason for failure if things go poorly. The Packers, Patriots and others have proven there are no excuses.”

Foster falls in line with that.

He hates to talk about would-haves, could-haves, or ifs and he won’t stand for the Texans participating in any of that no matter how much of it is coming from the outside in light of the injuries to Johnson and Williams.

“Everyone kind of writes us off,” Foster said. “That’s all right. All we need is for the people in this locker room to believe in us, that’s what we’re going to continue to do. Hopefully we play the way we’re capable of playing and come out of there with a W.”

Receiver Jacoby Jones was targeted 11 times by Schaub last week, including on that final pick, and he had just one catch.

Schaub's maddening inconsistency and inability to deliver when most needed helped prompt two moves this week: The Texans traded a conditional seventh-round pick to the Jets for WR Derrick Mason and brought back Trindon Holliday to take over return duties, including punt returns, which were handled by Jones.

Without Johnson or a big-play receiver in his place, will Foster head to Maryland thinking about needing to do more in order for the Texans to win?

“Andre is a big part of what we do,” Foster said. “You have to understand he’s gone and the slack has to be picked up somewhere. But you don’t necessarily have to put it on your shoulders.

"If the coaches feel like that’s something I need to do, that I need to up my production in any form or fashion, I’ll do that.”

Other guys will need to do it too or Monday we’ll be talking about an average 3-3 team that’s heading to Tennessee for a big division game and another chance to slip.

Reading the coverage …

Houston Texans

Writes Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle: “[T]he thing that both excites and frustrates them about [Jacoby] Jones is that he can and should be so much better than he has been the last two weeks. He has the size and speed to be an impact player. The Texans know this because they've seen flashes of it in practice and at times in games during his first four seasons.”

Trindon Holliday will take over as the returner, to allow Danieal Manning and Jacoby Jones to focus on their primary jobs, writes McClain. I like the concept of a player taking the jobs away from key guys on offense and defense, but I’m scared of Holliday.

Indianapolis Colts

Injuries have left the Colts nearly devoid of quality defensive backs, says Phil Richards of the Indianapolis Star. Cincinnati’s rookie quarterback Andy Dalton and his receivers will have opportunities against this group.

Austin Collie’s workload is down, like a lot of skill players without Peyton Manning, says Mike Chappell.

Nate Dunlevy of 18to88 says Jacob Lacey was not as bad as people think against Dwayne Bowe.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars seek a new direction with their new punter Nick Harris, says Vito Stellino of the Times-Union.

Mike Tomlin didn’t care for questions about the Jaguars-Steelers playoff game that did wonders for the careers of Jack Del Rio and David Garrard, writes Tania Ganguli of the Times-Union.

Tennessee Titans

Offensive coordinator Chris Palmer was ticked off at Damian Williams for going on cruise control during the loss to the Steelers, writes John Glennon of The Tennessean.

The Texans have added guard Thomas Austin and punter Brett Hartmann to their 53-man roster, cutting outside linebacker Jesse Nading.

They've also put together their initial practice squad.

• ILB Mister Alexander
• C Howard Barbieri
• G Andrew Gardner
• KR Trindon Holliday
• S Shiloh Keo
• WR Jeff Maehl
• RB Chris Ogbonnaya

Click here for a complete list of the Houston Texans’ roster moves.

Surprise moves: After cutting rookie punter Brett Hartmann last week, the team cut veteran Brad Maynard. The Texans do not have a punter. One fan quickly joked that a high-powered offense doesn’t intend to punt. But the Texans clearly have their eye on someone and will be adding a punter in the next couple of days. They've left a roster spot open for him. Fifth-round safety Shiloh Keo, a Wade Phillips favorite who was supposed to be a special-teams demon, didn’t make it. Raw, undrafted outside linebacker Bryan Braman did make it.

No-brainers: Deciding Steve Slaton was one of their best 53 players and keeping four running backs seemed prudent to me. Deciding Trindon Holliday wasn’t going to help as a return man or receiver makes sense, too.

What’s next: The team has only Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter, Jacoby Jones and newcomer Bryant Johnson at receiver and could be looking for a fifth option, though their pass-catching tight ends ease the concern. Houston is thin on the offensive line, too.

Sounds to me like Trindon Holliday’s chance to win a spot as a return specialist is about over in Houston.

Asked about Jacoby Jones' expected contribution on special teams, Gary Kubiak told Houston media: “Oh yeah, he’ll definitely be our punt returns and Danieal [Manning] will be our kick returner. It’s time for [Jones] to have some of those returns. He’s had some in the past and it’s time for him to get back on the top of his game.”

Cornerback Johnathan Joseph (groin) will play Saturday in San Francisco. Linebacker DeMeco Ryans (elbow) will be assessed Thursday and might play.

Kubiak said starters will go three quarters and that Derrick Ward and Ben Tate will spell Arian Foster at running back when needed and then one will get the fourth quarter.

HOUSTON -- Yes, they brought in a top-flight defensive coordinator, drafted well and signed some good-looking free agents.

Still, the Texans have been the breakout pick so often in recent years and have come up short that it’s completely fair to ask, even with those changes: Why should people believe? Why should they buy this team?

“I couldn’t sell it to anybody,” said Chris Myers, the team’s underrated center. “We’re doing what we do here in camp. If you’re a Texans fan, you’re a Texans fan. Our offense is the same offense that we’ve had and we’re going to try to make it better. Our defense has brought in who we think can change it, take it in the right direction and make us that complete team.

“That’s the pitch. If you’re going to buy it, you’re going to buy it. If not, we’re still rolling.”

To find their way to the playoffs for the first time since the franchise began play in 2002, the Texans need to find the consistency they’ve lacked on many levels -- start to finish in a game, week to week over the course of the season.

That new defensive coordinator, Wade Phillips, has a great record of turning defenses around. Gary Kubiak carries questions as a head coach, but not as an offensive mind.

It’s a now or never deal for Kubiak, and he’s got a lot of talent on his roster that knows it.

Receiver Andre Johnson, one of the league’s top players, says the team’s spent the past few preseasons talking about breaking through. This time he wants less talk and more action.

THREE HOT ISSUES

1) How quickly can Phillips shape the defense?

He's coming off a poor term as head coach in Dallas, but his track record as a coordinator is excellent.

Players on the Texans' defense say he’s funny, yet pointed. He’s already infused the group with confidence, and he quickly identified things that amounted to easy fixes. Mario Williams’ false step should disappear, for example, and Kareem Jackson is unlikely to be seen in press coverages.

“Wade Phillips and [linebackers coach Reggie Herring] have brought a credibility and a confidence to the system that they run,” said end-turned-outside-linebacker Connor Barwin. “I feel like it carries over to us. You know if you do what you’re coached up to do that it’s going to work.”

The change from a 4-3 to a 3-4 isn’t as extreme as some imagine, because Phillips’ 3-4 doesn’t demand a gigantic space-eating nose tackle, and it doesn’t ask linemen to be responsible for two gaps. The linemen are really playing roles akin to what they did in the previous system, with Williams now standing up as an on-the-line 'backer on the weak side.

Creating that matchup as often as possible is key, and Williams should be the centerpiece of the retooling.

Though Williams didn’t look comfortable in the preseason opener, end Antonio Smith thinks offenses will really struggle with Williams and his bull rush.

“It has not been stopped in camp yet,” Smith said. “Since he decided to do it, I ain’t seem him lose. You know what you need to do to beat a person. I think that throughout this camp, he’s figuring out how to use that. He’s added it into his bag of tricks and he’s going to figure out how to use it along with his other moves.”

Matt Schaub and Johnson have both talked about how many more balls are contested and broken up in a typical practice. That difference suggests the new philosophy’s growing on a unit that’s needed not just players like Johnathan Joseph and Danieal Manning but also the sort of direction Phillips is providing.

2) Will Arian Foster be able to have another big season on the ground?

It wasn’t long ago that Steve Slaton ran for 1,282 yards. He’s disappeared since the 2008 season, however.

Foster said that what he did over 16 games last season proved him capable and that the notion of a fluke is ridiculous. But for the Texans’ offense to get better, he’ll have to follow up his 1,616-yard season and rushing title with another big showing.

“When you come out and have a season like that, then everybody wants to see what you’re going to do the next season,” Johnson said. “I think that is important for him, to come out and show people that he is the guy that he was last year.

“I think he’ll do it, there is no doubt in my mind. Because he works hard and he plays with a chip on his shoulder.”

Houston’s play-action can be spectacular with Foster running as he did in 2010. His style is perfectly suited for the team’s blocking scheme, which encourages him to cut once and take all he can get.

Another big year will go a long way toward setting the Texans’ course.

3) Do enough guys have killer instinct?

The Texans' slow starts and inability to finish were major issues last season. Better personnel and coaching will need to be accompanied by a killer instinct this franchise has too frequently lacked.

“You could put it that way,” tight end Owen Daniels said. “There’s definitely never been a lack of effort. I think it’s been missed opportunities at finishing games. ... We need to find something different this year in order to close out those games.”

A guy like Johnson, soft-spoken but intense, certainly has a personality you can win with. But are the Texans, in total, too low-key? I think it’s a fair question.

“You’ve got to have that [killer instinct],” said Manning, one of the key newcomers. “... If you believe, all this other stuff is going to come into play: working together, supporting your man, pushing him, making him work hard, holding him accountable. All that stuff goes hand in hand. I’ve never seen a championship team that didn’t believe, that didn’t finish.”

BIGGEST SURPRISE

When they grabbed him during the 2010 season, I don’t think the Texans expected much from veteran cornerback Jason Allen. But the secondary was better with him than it was without him. Now, with a fresh start, he’s mounting a serious challenge to Jackson, the 2010 first-round draft pick. The team would be well served to go with Allen if things come out roughly even. Jackson’s seasoning would be better for now as a role player.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Antwaun Molden looks the part as a 6-foot-1, 200-pound corner. But the team has finally stopped talking up the fourth-year man from Eastern Kentucky. He’s not sturdy enough and doesn’t show enough gumption to be a factor in a group where he’s had a chance to add some depth. He had an interception in the preseason opener, but only after he committed a penalty that washed it away.

OBSERVATION DECK

• Joel Dreessen is consistently underrated. Dreessen can block and, while not as dynamic as Daniels, has a knack for finding open spaces and presenting himself to Schaub. The Texans have a lot of quality tight ends. Look for the team to put three tight ends on the field at times, when they can operate as a heavy package or shift Daniels, Dreessen, James Casey or Garrett Graham into space, depending on the defensive personnel. Anthony Hill is the blocker of the bunch.
• After facing questions about durability, Schaub’s played two full seasons. Now the questions are about play in the clutch. He needs to eliminate moments like the one when he threw an overtime pick-six against Baltimore last season.
• I expect the Texans to look closely at receivers when the league cuts down rosters. Dorin Dickerson currently looks to be fourth in line, but I saw him fighting some passes in practices and he’s still relatively new to the position. Jeff Maehl heads the undrafted group but didn’t look great, either. Receiver depth is an issue.
• Inside linebacker Darryl Sharpton could be the best non-starter on the roster come opening day. He’s in a tough spot behind DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing, though injuries are often in play with Cushing.
• Myers is a key cog in making the Texans’ offensive line work, and he could be taking his place right alongside Jeff Saturday as an indispensable center in the division.
• The team could be an injury away from trouble at end and safety.
• Trindon Holliday’s speed is not enough for him to overcome his size as even a situational receiver. Plus, he seems easily hurt. The return jobs are open if the team wants to avoid using Jacoby Jones as the punt returner and Manning as the kick returner.
• Undrafted rookie Brett Hartmann beating out veteran punter Brad Maynard is a definite possibility.
• Count me among those not convinced that Matt Leinart can’t play. If this team needs a few spots starts, I bet he can do OK. One of the NFL’s quarterback-needy teams was foolish not to add Leinart to the mix. He’s better than a lot of guys with a chance to start some games this season.
• Lawrence Vickers is better equipped to work as the fullback than Casey, and he should get far more frequent opportunities to lead the way for Foster.

The Houston Texans are scheduled for only one prime-time game in the regular season, Week 16 at Indianapolis. But the new-look Texans got the Monday Night Football spotlight on the opening weekend of the preseason.

Viewers saw a team already thinned out at running back get thinner as a revamped defense did some nice things in a 20-16 win over the New York Jets.

One man's quick observations…

1. The Texans lacked some of firepower, with Andre Johnson (finger), Arian Foster (hamstring), Brian Cushing (knee) and prize free-agent cornerback Johnathan Joseph (groin) sitting out. We saw more, sooner, of Jacoby Jones, Derrick Ward, Darryl Sharpton and Jason Allen as a result.
2. Ward started and didn’t last long before suffering a head injury, leaving the team with only Chris Ogbonnaya and Javarris Williams as its running backs. Houston tried running Ogbonnaya inside too much, but got him going more as a bootleg pass target for Matt Leinart. He caught a short touchdown pass among his team-high six receptions for 67 yards. He ran for the game-winning touchdown from a yard out with just under 2:00 left.
3. Ankle injuries to Antoine Caldwell and Kasey Studdard could mean the team could be thinned for a time at guard as well.
4. Matt Schaub hit on just 2 of 5 passes before yielding to Leinart. Schaub was just a touch off and two of his targets, Owen Daniels and Kevin Walter, were unable to pull in balls they got their hands on.
5. The Texans shouldn’t feel obligated to use James Casey as the first-string fullback just because he was the primary plan once Vonta Leach left. They later signed free-agent Lawrence Vickers. He shouldn’t be waiting until the second half for a chance to impact the game. He quickly had a 22-yard catch and run.
6. Second-string inside linebacker Xavier Adibi had a nice night, though he was unblocked on one of his two sacks. Another No. 2, outside linebacker Jesse Nading, was also productive with a sack and a forced fumble. Second-round pick Brooks Reed looked good, showing good burst at the snap. He had one good rush followed by a nice recognition in which he stopped chasing to jump and knock down a pass.
7. The late work of undrafted rookie outside linebacker Bryan Braman out of West Texas A&M is the sort that makes a guy impossible to hide for a practice squad spot. No matter the caliber of the people attempting to block him, he showed a knack for getting to the quarterback, even if he allowed rookie quarterback Greg McElroy to shrug out of a sure sack on the final possession of the game.
8. Quintin Demps fielded kickoffs and punts early on without much affect. Trindon Holliday was out hurt and the team wisely didn’t choose to look at Jones and Danieal Manning, veteran starters who didn’t need to be exposed to injury risk on special teams.

HOUSTON -- Arrived at Texans practice about halfway through. I thought I’d start out with some straight observational sharing.

1) I watched the offensive and defensive line one-on-ones from a tough angle.

• Chris Myers had a very good snap against Shaun Cody.
• Antonio Smith gained good ground on Wade Smith twice.
• Duane Brown fended off Bryan Braman twice.
• J.J. Watt got good push against Derek Newton, but Newton managed to stay between Watt and his target. Newton also watched Jesse Nading fly right past him.
• Mike Brisiel handled Tim Bulman, but Bulman had a good win against Cody Wallace.
• Connor Barwin went around Pete Hendrickson.

And the highlight for me: Brooks Reed vs. Eric Winston. Reed quickly got inside Winston on the first snap. Then he did it again though he had to go wider. And against Newton, he got steered out real wide, wide enough that he probably couldn’t have recovered to make a play.

Reed’s clearly super-fast off the edge. (Sidenote: He’s got relatively skinny legs. Calves anyway.) On the second snap against Winston, I wondered if he went wide enough that even a clean run might take him too long to get to the quarterback, allowing for the ball to come out. Still, forcing a quick pass with such pressure is a victory.

2) Brian Cushing, who’s been out of action for most of camp as he recovered from knee surgery, was part of team drills. In the very first snap of 11 vs. 11 work I saw, he edged up to the line and weaved his way through the middle very quickly and cleanly, slicing through the line in a way he would have had a pretty good shot at Matt Schaub in a live situation.

3) Schaub found Kevin Walter with a bomb up the right side that fell incomplete only because Kareem Jackson had a handful of Walter’s jersey to prevent him from catching up to it. Jackson made no real effort to hide the foul or recover from it.

4) Owen Daniels slipped open against what had to be a busted coverage for a big play. Reed let him go near the line of scrimmage and Glover Quin wasn’t in range. The culprit is likely unidentified.

5) Trindon Holliday had a nice little catch-and-run, but limped back and found a trainer.

6) Sherrick McManis intercepted Matt Leinart.

7) When I talked to the sidelined Ben Tate after the practice, he indicated that Steve Slaton now has a hamstring issue as well.

A first look at the Texans' unofficial depth chart gives us these nuggets to consider:

• James Casey is the No. 1 fullback ahead of Lawrence Vickers.
• Derrick Ward is the second running back, followed by Steve Slaton and Ben Tate.
• Shaun Cody is ahead of Earl Mitchell at nose tackle.
• Kareem Jackson is the starting left cornerback with Brice McCain and Brandon Harris behind him.
• Jason Allen is the No. 2 right cornerback behind Johnathan Joseph.
• Fifth-round pick Shiloh Keo is fourth at free safety.
• New linebacker Tim Dobbins is listed fifth in line at middle linebacker, but worked today with the second and third team.
• Trindon Holliday is the front-line punt and kick returner.
• Undrafted Brett Hartmann is listed as the first punter, ahead of veteran Brad Maynard.

A look at AFC South draft picks heading into opening day …

Houston Texans

• First-rounder Kareem Jackson is the starting right cornerback.
• Second-rounder Ben Tate (ankle), a running back, is on IR.
• Third-rounder Earl Mitchell is in the rotation at defensive tackle.
• Fourth-rounder Darryl Sharpton is a backup linebacker.
• Fourth-rounder Garrett Graham is listed as the fourth tight end but could get some snaps while Owen Daniels is eased back into action.
• Fifth-rounder Sherrick McManis is the fifth or sixth cornerback.
• Sixth-rounder Shelley Smith is listed as the third-string left guard and right tackle.
• Sixth-rounder Trindon Holliday (thumb), a return man, is on IR.
• Seventh-rounder Dorin Dickerson is listed as Andre Johnson’s backup.

Indianapolis Colts

• First-rounder Jerry Hughes is in line to work as the third or fourth defensive end.
• Second-rounder Pat Angerer is a backup linebacker and special-teamer.
• Third-rounder Kevin Thomas (knee), a cornerback, is on IR.
• Fourth-rounder Jacques McClendon is the backup right guard.
• Fifth-rounder Brody Eldridge is the starting H-back.
• Seventh-rounder Ricardo Mathews is a backup defensive lineman.
• Seventh-rounder Kavell Conner is a backup linebacker and special-teamer.
• Seventh-rounder Ray Fisher, a cornerback and return man, was cut. (Not put on IR as I originally wrote.)

Jacksonville Jaguars

• First-rounder Tyson Alualu is a starting defensive tackle.
• Third-rounder D’Anthony Smith (Achilles), a defensive tackle, is on IR.
• Fifth-rounder Larry Hart is the second-string right defensive end.
• Fifth-rounder Austen Lane is the third-string left defensive end.
• Sixth-rounder Deji Karim is the third-string running back and the top kick returner, though he could be slowed early with a thumb injury.
• Sixth-rounder Scotty McGee is the punt returner.

Tennessee Titans

• First-rounder Derrick Morgan is part of the rotation at defensive end.
• Third-rounder Damian Williams is the second return man and the fifth or sixth receiver.
• Third-rounder Rennie Curran is a backup linebacker and special-teamer.
• Fourth-rounder Alterraun Verner could be part of a rotation at right cornerback.
• Fifth-rounder Robert Johnson is a third-string safety.
• Sixth-rounder Rusty Smith is the third-string quarterback.
• Sixth-rounder Myron Rolle, a safety, was cut and is on the practice squad.
• Seventh-rounder Marc Mariani is the return man and the fifth of sixth receiver.
• Seventh-rounder David Howard, a defensive tackle, was cut.

Reading the coverage …

Houston Texans

Trindon Holliday will have thumb surgery Wednesday, says Dale Robertson.

Injuries mean the Texans are super-thin at linebacker, says Robertson.

A young Saints fan declined David Anderson’s offer of gloves at the Superdome,

Indianapolis Colts

Colts rookie linebackers Pat Angerer and Kavell Conner are working to catch on quickly, says Phil Richards.

Clint Session expects to make his preseason debut in Green Bay Thursday night, says Richards.

Donald Brown hasn't been put in position to run well in the preseason, says Mike Chappell.

John Oehser takes on Jerry Hughes, Dwight Freeney and Joseph Addai.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Defensive breakdowns are slowing the Jaguars’ progress, says Vito Stellino.

Eugene Monroe is down 30 pounds and Larry Hart needs a smaller jersey, says Stellino.

Zach Miller and Greg Jones will tip defenses on whether the Jaguars are passing or running, says Vic Ketchman.

The special teams should be consistently good, says Alfie Crow.

Some what ifs, from Terry O’Brien.

Tennessee Titans

Jeff Fisher likes what he’s seeing from Vince Young, say Jim Wyatt and John Glennon.

Look for efficiency more than intensity in the Titans-Cardinals joint practice Wednesday, says Wyatt.

Vince Young's making progress under the the watch of Jeff Fisher, says Jim Corbett.

Preseason rushing touchdowns are a good sign, says David Boclair.

Rookie return man Trindon Holliday will have surgery on a torn thumb ligament and is out for the season for the Houston Texans. He’ll join Ben Tate (ankle) on the IR.

That’s two of the nine members from this year's draft class on the shelf before the opener. Which isn’t a good thing.

But this could be a silver lining situation for Holliday, who ends up with a red shirt year. He’ll get to see how the league works, study return games and think about how he can better translate his skills to the NFL when he gets back involved in practices next spring at organized team activities.

He had a shot to be the guy this year, but that was not guaranteed, and his work so far had been up and down at best.

Now the Texans will likely look at Steve Slaton and Andre Davis at kick returner and could go back to Jacoby Jones as their punt returner.

Some bullet-point thoughts on the Texans’ 38-20 loss at New Orleans Saturday night.

Impressive:

• Neil Rackers connected on a 52-yard field goal, a nice line on his resume as he competes for the job with Kris Brown, who hit from 43.
• Steve Slaton had a 63-yard kickoff return. Would they be willing to use him in such a capacity during the regular season? Houston’s average drive started at the 38-yard line.
• Reserve linebacker Danny Clark pulled in an interception of Chase Daniel.
• Dan Orlovsky produced reasonably good numbers working behind Matt Schaub, completing 12 of 19 passes for 140 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions.

Disappointing:

• The Texans showed a serious lack of defensive intensity and said the effort looked like what they produced in their very poor three-game start in 2009. Bad tackling was an issue.
• Reggie Bush gashed them for a 9-yard touchdown run up the middle as if he was a power back. On seven carries he averaged seven yards.
• Arian Foster lost a fumble. We say it over and over because it’s such an issue – the Texans have to get creative and find ways to get their backs to hold on to the ball.
• The Texans allowed the Saints two 11-play drives and a late 18-play drive. They resulted in 17 points.
• Saints reserve quarterback Daniel looked like Drew Brees as he threw for 182 yards and three touchdowns.
• Trindon Holliday hurt his campaign to win the return job with a fumbled punt.
• Houston converted just 1-of-13 third downs and held the ball for only 20 minutes.

ESPN.com NFL Power Ranking (pre-camp): 14

For three years, they’ve been picked as a breakout team. In those three years, the Houston Texans went 25-23 with zero playoff appearances.

So why are the 2010 Texans going to be different? Why do they deserve that sort of faith yet again? What’s changed when the personnel alterations have been pretty minor?

“What’s different? Experience, togetherness,” Amobi Okoye said. “I feel like by the time we will kick off, we will have the full definition of team. If there was a meter of T-E-A-M, we are right at the halfway of M… By the time the season starts, we’re going to completely spell TEAM.”

Said Bernard Pollard, the feisty safety who didn’t arrive until a few games into last season: “We have so much more team chemistry. We know and understand what we are good at. We know and understand that we can’t step out of the box and have to play our game. We’re turning that corner.”

To finally get to the postseason, the Texans have to play more complete games. They have to play better in the red zone. Perhaps above all else, they have to play better in the AFC South, where they were just 1-5 last season.

Catching the Colts is a tall task. The Texans aspire to do it, but they also know there is a route to the playoffs without a division crown. They just have to drive it more smoothly.

THREE HOT ISSUES

Can the pass rush pick it up?

Mario Williams had nine sacks to go with a bum shoulder he’s still reluctant to talk about. He needs more support in chasing the quarterback, and the Texans need to hurry and hit quarterbacks more often to help those three young cornerbacks -- Kareem Jackson, Glover Quin and Brice McCain -- cover.

Connor Barwin should be opposite Williams on clear rush downs, and he might be the most improved player on defense. Inside, there are now alternatives to Okoye, who might just not be a good pass pressure guy. Rookie Earl Mitchell could wind up part of the nickel package along with Antonio Smith, who will shift inside to make room for Barwin.

Will the run game do its part?

Everyone is encouraged about the run game, but what’s changed? Second-round pick Ben Tate is lost with an injury. Guard Wade Smith was the only significant addition to the line, where interior issues were a big part of the problems. Offensive coordinator Rick Dennison is from the same school as predecessor Kyle Shanahan, and line coach John Benton learned under the departed Alex Gibbs.

“We have to get better running the football,” Andre Johnson said. “That helps win games, especially in the fourth quarter when you’re up and you want to kill the time, you have to go on those four-minute drives where you have to get those big fourth downs. We have to get better in that part of our offense.”

They are largely counting on young guys getting better, which begs the question: What if they don’t?

Are the supplementary pieces good enough?

The Texans' stars match up with virtually anyone’s. But beyond Johnson, Williams, Brian Cushing, DeMeco Ryans, Matt Schaub and Owen Daniels, have head coach Gary Kubiak and general manager Rick Smith done enough to unearth the right sort of players on the next tier?

Pollard and Eric Winston certainly fit the bill. Antonio Smith, Kevin Walter and Zac Diles might. That next level of player might be where this team is a little short, and it’s those kinds of guys who might well be the key to transforming a good team into a very good team.

And so we’re watching the likes of Quin, Barwin, Joel Dreessen, James Casey, Jacoby Jones and the offensive line beyond Winston, because they might wind up telling the story.

BIGGEST SURPRISE

Linebacker Darryl Sharpton: The Texans figured one of three veteran linebackers would be in the lineup during Cushing’s four-game suspension. But a combination of injuries and ineffectiveness has put Xavier Adibi, Danny Clark and Kevin Bentley on the backburner because rookie Darryl Sharpton's been such a consistent playmaker. He might be short, but he packs a good punch.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Injury to Ben Tate: As the Texans search for the right combination of running backs to help balance their offense, second-round pick Tate figured to be a key piece. But he was lost for the season with a serious ankle/leg injury in the preseason opener. That puts the load on Arian Foster, Steve Slaton and either Jeremiah Johnson, Chris Henry or a back not yet on the team.

OBSERVATION DECK

• The Texans are regarded by some as a finesse team, but the defense is emphasizing physicality. Cushing, Pollard, Smith, Jackson, Quin and Mitchell have all joined the team in the past two years and are physical players.
• Expect Foster to get first crack at the carries closest to the goal line as the Texans really concentrate on running better at close range. Johnson definitely could be heard from in the running game, too -- he might be the best fit for the one-cut and go zone scheme Houston uses.
• [+] Enlarge
  AP Photo/Rick ScuteriKicker Neil Rackers has a chance to beat out incumbent Kris Brown.
  If Kris Brown and Neil Rackers continue to be virtually even in the kicker competition, it makes sense for the team to go with Rackers. Sometimes guys just need a change of scenery. If Brown stays and fails on a crucial long field goal on opening day against the Colts, the thinking will be, “Why didn’t they make a change?” If Rackers does the same thing, I’ll think, “At least they tried someone different.”
• Houston’s defensive tackles are quick, up-the-field types. But they’d sure love if their one big space-eater, Frank Okam, forced his way into action.
• The Texans want to get the ball in the hands of Jones since he averaged 16.2 yards a catch on his 27 receptions. But I am not so sure that means he’s going to nudge ahead of Walter for the No. 2 receiver job. Walter is smart and super reliable, and reliability is awfully important. Jones might displace Walter or get a share of snaps in two-wide formations, but look for Jones most in a heavy dose of three-wide formations.
• Troy Nolan might be a credible alternative to Eugene Wilson at free safety if Wilson gets hurt again. I’ve been critical of the team for not adding to the spot, but Nolan missed his rookie season with an injury and appears to be a high-caliber special-teamer.
• Daniels’ speed is a big part of what helped set him apart. When he returns soon from another ACL reconstruction, will he still have it in the same way? That's the big question with him.
• The offensive line is set with Duane Brown at left tackle, Chris Myers at center and Winston at right tackle. Guard jobs remain up for grabs. It seems to me that Wade Smith, a free-agent acquisition tailored to the system, and Antoine Caldwell, a third-rounder from 2009, would make the most sense.
• It sounds less likely that Trindon Holliday has to be a serviceable receiver to make the team than it did during OTAs. If he convinces the team he can be a consistently special return guy, he’ll stick. He looked good to me when the Texans worked with the Saints.