Hopkins, Foreman skip practice after McNair’s comments.
Texans Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins skipped practice Friday, leaving NRG Stadium to express his displeasure with owner Bob McNair’s controversial remarks about players’ national anthem protests.
Although Hopkins was absent Friday along with rookie running back D’Onta Foreman and listed on the injury report as not practicing for noninjury reasons, both players are expected to travel with the team Saturday and play Sunday in a game at Seattle.
“He’s fine,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “He took a personal day. I would tell you that he’ll be here. If something changes, I’m sure we’ll let you know.”
Like Hopkins, Foreman missed practice for personal reasons after comments surfaced from McNair about not letting “inmates run the prison.”
Hopkins leads the Texans with 37 receptions for 382 yards and six touchdowns.
O’Brien anticipates Hopkins rejoining the Texans in advance of the game and having his usual role.
“Yeah, he’ll start,” O’Brien said. “He’ll be lined up in a lot of different places and he’ll play.”
Despite the unexpected distraction stemming from what McNair said at a recent NFL owners meeting, O’Brien said the team remains focused on the task at hand.
“Somebody said, ‘When you sign up to be a head coach, it’s what you sign up for,’ ” O’Brien said. “I love these players. I love this coaching staff. We will show up in Seattle and play, and we will play very hard. Seattle’s a great football team with a great coaching staff, but we will be there when the ball is kicked off in Seattle.”
Brown expected to be activated
Texans veteran offensive tackle Duane Brown is expected to be placed on the active roster.
The three-time Pro Bowler ended his sixgame holdout Monday.
He has to be activated from a two-week roster exemption by Saturday afternoon in order to be eligible to play Sunday.
Brown has repeatedly said he’s ready to play and appears to be in good shape. He was reinstated from the reserve-did not report list Monday. The Texans have to remove a player from the 53-man roster to activate Brown.
“It’s definitely trending toward that, but I think we have to sit down and make sure that we’re all on the same page with that, including Duane obviously,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “But I would say it’s trending toward him being able to play.”
Clark, Cole out for Sunday
The Texans officially ruled out veteran offensive tackle Chris Clark due to a strained calf.
Clark didn’t practice all week after getting hurt during a win over the Cleveland Browns prior to the week off
Clark’s absence makes it even more likely Duane Brown will start at left tackle.
The Texans also ruled out rookie inside linebacker Dylan Cole with a Grade 2 strained hamstring and defensive end Joel Heath with a knee injury.
Inside linebacker Jelani Jenkins is questionable with a hand injury. Defensive tackle Kendall Langford is questionable with a back injury.
Foreman ready for any duty
As a rookie, D’Onta Foreman has established a few things about his running style.
The Texans’ thirdround draft pick is a physical running back capable of running over or around linebackers, drawing praise from running backs coach Charles London for being a north-south, downhill runner.
Foreman wants to be more than that.
“It’s always nice to get a compliment,” Foreman said. “I want to try to expand my game and be more than just that. That’s definitely one of the strengths of my game definitely and I can always be better. I try to make myself more of a variety rather than just be a downhill runner.”
In six games, Foreman has rushed for 207 yards on 50 carries and is averaging 4.1 yards per run. He’s also caught three passes for 68 yards.
The former University of Texas standout is coming off a game against the Cleveland Browns in which he had a seasonlong 39-yard run, but was frustrated with himself that he didn’t score.
“I’m always trying to find something to build on,” Foreman said. “I think this week is just try- ing to go out there and not make any mistakes, try not to leave any yards on the field, try to capitalize on any plays I’m able to make.
“That’s the goal for me is to improve every week. With practice, that helps a lot. My coaches help me break down the film to get to where I need to get better. I take the criticism and everything and try to apply it when I get on the field.”
Foreman is averaging 8.3 carries per game behind Pro Bowl alternate Lamar Miller, who leads the Texans with 372 yards on 98 carries.
“I’m always ready whenever they call my number,” Foreman said. “Whatever my role is, I’m just ready to embrace it and take it on.”
Anthem protest a possibility
It’s highly possible the Texans will stage some type of protest in solidarity Sunday after all of their players have stood for the national anthem all season.
The last Texans player to break from that norm during the anthem was offensive tackle Duane Brown, who raised his fist during a September loss to the New England Patriots last season.
“I have no idea,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “I think that we’re all grown men. I would tell you I support my players 100 percent.”