Fairbairn gets a kick out of returning to L.A.
For Ka’imi Fairbairn, this weekend represents a significant moment in his career.
A former Lou Groza award winner at UCLA as the top kicker in the nation, Fairbairn returns to Los Angeles as a success story.
The former undrafted free agent has made 11 of 12 field goals in his first season as the Texans’ kicker.
The Texans play the Rams at Memorial Coliseum on Sunday, which brings back memories for Fairbairn.
“I wish it was at the Rose Bowl, but excited to get back out there,” Fairbairn said. “We beat USC on that field my sophomore year, and that was a big win. Always good to beat the Trojans. Pretty good memories there.”
The Texans are pleased with how Fairbairn has developed as the replacement for veteran Nick Novak. Fairbairn missed his first field-goal attempt in Sunday’s 20-14 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. He has missed two extra-point tries in 24 attempts.
“He’s done a nice job,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “He’s got a very, very talented leg. He can do whatever you want him to do. He can make every kick. He’s got a good demeanor, great guy in the locker room.” Growing up in Ohio, Texans defensive lineman Chunky Clements earned his nickname the old-fashioned way.
Jarrod Clements was a huge baby. Hence, his family nicknamed him Chunky.
“I was a fat baby, so they called me Chunky,” Clements said. “I was a very big baby.”
By NFL standards, Clements (6-2, 295) is a normal-sized lineman. He’s not overweight, and yet the nickname persists. Not that he minds.
“Yeah, it just stuck,” Clements said. “Everybody has that assumption, they think I’m a big guy. I’ve got a big heart. Most like my nickname. I’ve never heard of anybody that doesn’t like it.”
Clements played collegiately at Illinois and had 25½ tackles for losses and six sacks.
“I would like to take that nickname, ‘Chunky O’Brien,’ ” coach Bill O’Brien said. “A great personality (and) good teammate. He was excited when we called him to let him know he was getting bumped up (to the active roster). I kind of like the way he approaches every day so far.”
Texans tight end Ryan Griffin’s season is officially over after he was placed on injured reserve Friday. Griffin suffered his second concussion this season on Sunday against the Colts.
His spot on the active roster was taken by tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz, who was activated from injured reserve-designated to return.
Griffin caught 13 passes for 158 yards and one touchdown in seven games and six starts.
Texans rookie inside linebacker Dylan Cole has been ruled out for Sunday’s game because of a Grade 2 hamstring strain. Cole first got hurt against the Cleveland Browns while returning an interception.
Defensive end Joel Heath also is out for Sunday with a knee injury.
Veteran cornerback Johnathan Joseph and Pro Bowl pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney were upgraded to full participation despite knee injuries.
The Texans’ coaching staff had some fun during practice Friday.
That included some shenanigans with secondary coach John Butler playfully shoving coach Bill O’Brien into and toppling Jadeveon Clowney during a stretching period.
There was an impromptu Three Stooges act from O’Brien when he was watching Butler try to match up with Wes Welker, a retired Pro Bowl wide receiver.
“That was Butler and Welker going one-on-one and Butler had no chance of stopping him, so we were giving him different ways that he could stop him,” O’Brien said. “You know, the Three Stooges routine.”
There was a seven-on-seven drill later with the offensive coaches against the defensive coaches.
“(The defense) said they got the better of us there, but I don’t know,” O’Brien said. “We’ll rematch it next week.”