The Texans miss Okoye when he is not out there. He has fit well into the eight-man rotation on the line, and rookie DT Frank Okam is still young and struggling to keep up.

The Texans are also counting on Okoye returning because of the ankle sprain to DT Travis Johnson. The Texans do not want to go against the Browns missing both of their starting tackles.

"I was hoping (Okoye) would be a game-time decision last week," said coach Gary Kubiak. "It didn't pan out that way. We tried to work up to that point but it was obvious he couldn't go. He needs to get back on the field. He needs to get back out there and contribute. It's a big year for him in year two. We're expecting a lot of good things from him and we're running short on time right now. So, he needs to get back out there."

--Tackling continues to be the biggest issue plaguing a defense that continues to struggle to make stops each week. The Texans rank 22nd in overall defense, allowing 372.1 yards per game.

The Texans are especially having problems in the second half of games as teams come out of the break and run all over them.

With the Browns averaging 101 rushing yards per game and ranking 22nd in the run, the Texans hope to be able to contain them Sunday.

"We knew that we were trying to force them to run the ball, and in the first half, we did an excellent job of tackling," coach Gary Kubiak said of their game plan against the Colts. "When they were running the ball, those plays were 2-, 3-yard gains. We're playing the same type of defense in the second half, the same type of things and all of the sudden you miss a few tackles here or there and those become 8-, 9-yard plays. So, that's all it takes for all of the sudden they go from doing something effectively to ineffectively and they were very committed to it."

BY THE NUMBERS: 10 -- Rookie running backs this season that have rushed for 100 yards in at least one game, including Texans rookie Steve Slaton. That's an NFL high for rookie running backs to accomplish that feat in a single season.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "My thing with this defense is it's basically the same defense we had a year ago. So, why are we 3-7 at this point and why are we not playing good football on the defensive side of the ball? We're still searching for that answer. Like I said, we have six weeks left and we have a chance to redeem ourselves on defense. We've just got to get the job done. It's easier said than done, but that's the bottom line. We've got to play football." -- CB Dunta Robinson, on the struggles of the defense.