Injuries Aplenty for Banged up Texans

Posted by Matt Loede on September 25th, 2007 filed in News

 

Texans center Steve McKinney is out for the rest of the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during Sunday’s loss to the Colts.  “This is the worst possible thing that could happen,” said McKinney on Monday.  “Right when we’ve turned this thing around and we’re starting to win, this happens. I can’t tell you how bad this makes me feel.”

McKinney’s spot on the line will now be up to 12-year vet Mike Flanagan.  McKinney will have to undergo surgery that will sideline him for the remainder of this season, but he should be ready to go for mini-camp in 2008.  As for the other Texan walking wounded, running back Ahman Green got some good news Monday, as his bruised knee is just that - bruised.  This was determined after an MRI on the knee Monday.

“It’s just sore,” Green said. “(The MRI showed) nothing bad, just swelling. I’m grateful for that.”  Right now Green will go if he can Sunday vs Atlanta.  If he can’t the team will turn to Ron Dayne, who didn’t play Sunday due to bruised ribs.  Samkon Gado will back up Dayne.  The running game struggled mightly vs the Colts, so getting Green back close to 100 percent would help the Texans right now. 

The team also will not have wide out Andre Johnson, who will miss another week with his knee sprain.  Johnson was allowed to bend the knee for the first time Sunday, but has to wait for more healing before he can take the field again.  “It’s like I’m learning to walk normally again,” Johnson said. “I’ve been in a brace for the whole week. Now, I have slack in my brace where I can bend my knee.”