Rankin activated, expected to be ready for ’18 opener
For rookie offensive tackle
Martinas Rankin, it was a big practice Monday afternoon and an important session to catch up on missed time.
Activated from the physically unable to perform list after he passed his physical, Rankin has recovered from foot surgery that sidelined him for most of the offseason and the first two preseason games. He is expected to be ready by the start of the regular season.
“My whole life I’ve battled adversity, so it was just another obstacle in my way,” Rankin said. “But I didn’t let it get in my way, and I just kept pushing forward, and I’m glad to be out here. You have to be patient in life. Sometimes, life comes at you hard, but you just have to take the punches and keep rolling.”
Rankin underwent the procedure to repair damage suffered during a rookie minicamp and had been sidelined since the injury.
A third-round draft pick, Rankin was an All-Southeastern Conference selection at Mississippi State. The Texans are getting him up to speed, and he could play Saturday on the road against the Los Angeles Rams.
“As much as he can handle, he’s full-go,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “He’s ready to go. We’re not going to be 50 reps in one practice, but we’ll bring him back. He’ll come back as he can handle the workload.”
Rankin said he has been studying the playbook and is knowledgeable about the offense.
“I feel pretty confident,” he said. “That did give me some time to really focus on the playbook, and that’s really all I had to do. That part, I feel confident out here. I feel great. I’m glad to be back out with the rest of the team.”
With Johnson out, team auditions CBs
The Texans auditioned freeagent cornerbacks Teddy Williams and Zack Sanchez, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly. Starting cornerback Kevin
Johnson is in the NFL concussion protocol after suffering a concussion Saturday night against the San Francisco 49ers. Johnson’s symptoms are subsiding.
“Kevin is doing good,” coach
Bill O’Brien said. “Kevin was in here, doing better. Yes, he’s doing much better.”
Undrafted rookie cornerback
Josh Thornton was injured against the 49ers, too.
A Tyler native who attended UTSA, Williams, 30, is a big cornerback at 6-1, 207 pounds He has played for the Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers and New York Giants. He has 22 career tackles and one interception.
Sanchez is from Keller. He played collegiately at Oklahoma and in the NFL with the Panthers after being drafted in the fifth round.
O’Brien was noncommittal on whether the Texans will sign a cornerback.
“We’re talking about that,” he said. “We look at the waiver wire every day and see what’s out there, but you never bring in guys just to finish practice. You want to bring in guys to help and have a chance to make the team. So, that’s what we’re looking at.”
Reid bounces back after rough debut
Justin Reid calmed down. His first-game jitters and excessive aggressiveness were behind him and he was able to relax and play the game Saturday.
The Texans rookie safety and top draft pick recorded a teamhigh six tackles during a 16-13 preseason win over the San Francisco 49ers one week after missing a tackle in his preseason debut against the Kansas City Chiefs.
“I always heard that you make the biggest jump from that first to second game,” Reid said. “Now going through it, I see how true that is.”
A third-round pick from Stanford and a second-team AllAmerican selection, Reid is the younger brother of former 49ers Pro Bowl safety Eric Reid.
Justin Reid is intent on improving each week, and remaining calm.
“The biggest takeaway from this game is you just have to play within the system, play within this scheme and play within my role and good things will happen,” Reid said.
Rose sticks around with Fairbairn out
Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn remains sidelined with a softtissue injury.
Former University of Texas, Chargers and Washington kicker
Nick Rose is filling in for him. Rose made a 32-yard field goal against the San Francisco 49ers, but missed an extra point.
“I don’t know where Fairbairn’s at (with his recovery),” coach Bill O’Brien said. “He’s working hard to get back. He’s a great guy, but we’ve got Rose in there now. Rose needs to make all of his kicks, just like everybody else needs to improve. Then, we’ll see where Fairbairn’s at.”
Several other players didn’t practice Monday, including outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (hamstring), wide
receiver Keke Coutee (hamstring), wide receivers Sammie Coates and Chris Thompson (concussions) and cornerback Josh Thornton. Linebacker LaTroy Lewis left practice with a leg injury.