Strong plans to appeal decision

Third-year Texans receiver Jaelen Strong is appealing his NFL-mandated one-game suspension for an arrest on a marijuana possession charge in February 2016 in Scottsdale, Ariz.

If Strong loses his appeal, he’ll be suspended for the Texans’ first regular-season game Sept. 10 against Jacksonville, according to those familiar with his situation.

Strong, who has had an excellent training camp, according to his coaches and teammates, would return for the second game at Cincinnati.

The Texans declined to comment on Strong’s appeal.

Strong, a third-round pick in 2015, was arrested Feb. 28, 2016, by Scottsdale police after a routine traffic stop. He was one of two passengers in a car driven by Green Bay cornerback Damarious Randall, a former teammate at Arizona State.

Strong gave police a cigar box with three marijuana cigarettes. He later agreed to enter a drug diversion program and undergo counseling to get the charge dropped.

Under NFL policy, within three days after a hearing, an arbitrator evaluates the evidence and issues a summary ruling. Then, “a formal written opinion shall be issued within 10 business days of the hearing.”

Strong should find out next week if he wins his appeal.

Strong, who caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from Tom Savage in the preseason victory over New England, has been the Texans’ No. 1 receiver since the first preseason game against Carolina.

DeAndre Hopkins (hand), Braxton Miller (ankle) and Will Fuller (collarbone) have been out with injuries. Hopkins and Miller are expected to be ready for the Jacksonville opener.