Houston Texans Working to Reduce Injuries, No Bubble Wrap Involved

For the last two years, the Houston Texans have finished their seasons with a league high 17 players on IR. Last year, starting quarterback Matt Schaub, running back Ahman Green, and standout wide receiver Andre Johnson were only on the field together for two games. Other key starters that missed substantial time last season due to injury include cornerback Dunta Robinson, center Steve McKinney and guard Fred Weary (Houston Texans video of his rehabilitation above).

There's no way I would have predicted the Texans finishing 8-8 with those injuries and running back Ron Dayne (now unemployed) as their leading rusher. Quite the coaching job by the staff.

The coaches and fanbase are sick of this injury story, and after the last two seasons the team has talked about how they can reduce injuries. An article in HoustonTexans.com discusses how the coaching staff believes that they will be able to reduce injuries:

"I think a lot of our injuries came in the past from just how much we're pushing each other, if that makes sense. We weren't a very good football team when we got started (in 2006). We had to really grind and push each other and battle on a daily basis to try to take some steps forward. I think we've done that. We're a more athletic football team now. Our roster is better. I think we practice better. We stay off the ground. We protect each other better."

I'm not sure whether this will help with injuries though it may help in keeping the team fresher over the course of a season. Most of the Texans serious injuries came from getting hit during a game. It's tackle football, stuff happens.

I do think that greater depth can help reduce injuries by keeping starters fresher. Something has to change because it would be nice for the team to lead the league in something other than most players injured.

The article says that most of the key players for the Texans will be expected to be healthy by camp, with the exception of Dunta Robinson who is recovering from a fluke hamstring/knee injury he received when a teammate hit him during a tackle.

Something interesting to think about: the Texans were 6-3 last season with Andre Johnson in the lineup. He would be one of my first candidates for bubble wrap if that worked.