Two Houston Texans suffered concussions in Monday night’s preseason game with the New York Jets, further highlighting the health and safety issues that the players were fighting for in the offseason.
Running back Derrick Ward went down in the first quarter, but was talking in the locker room after the game and Tweeted a status update this morning, saying: “Good morning everyone. Just so u all know I’m fine and will be back at practice tomorrow. Thanks for the well wishes! We looked great!!!”
Linebacker Cheta Ozougwu also suffered a concussion in the game, and spent the night in the hospital for observation. Ozougwu was this year’s “Mr. Irrelevant,” the honorary title given to the last player taken in the NFL draft.
The injury to Ward leaves the Texans with only one healthy running back, in spite of the expanded 90 man roster. Three other running backs all missed Monday’s game with hamstring injuries – Arian Foster, Steve Slaton and Ben Tate.
Head coach Gary Kubiak was optimistic that Foster will be back at practice, but Slaton probably will not be ready for the Texans game against the New Orleans Saints on Saturday. Kubiak could not provide a timetable for Tate.
Kubiak was asked if the injuries will necessitate the Texans signing new players this week, and he answered, “I think we’re at the point right now – I can’t speak for the addition parts and stuff like that – but I can say when you get to this point in training camp, you’ve got to get creative when you start having problems like this.”
