"That's the worst nightmare for a coach," Kubiak said. "Any player going down, but a guy like him getting hurt it's part of football, unfortunately, and there's not a play that you don't hold your breath in all honesty. You just got to keep pushing through and hope for the best and hopefully it's our time to stay healthy. We've been pretty fortunate through this camp; we've been pretty darn good. Keep our fingers crossed with him and see what happens."

Johnson said his groin tightened up on him when he was running the route but that he wasn't worried about it being anything serious. He rejoined his teammates at the post-practice huddle and signed autographs for fans afterward.

"Normally when you have a pull or something, you can tell when you're running by the way it feels," Johnson said. "I didn't feel anything pop or anything like that. I just felt it tighten up real tight on me. When I felt that, I just slowed down. I didn't feel a pop or anything like that afterward, so like I said, I'm fine. I'll get treatment for a few days and I'll be fine."

--The Texans were back down to just four available running backs Saturday morning when Mike Bell left practice early with a hamstring issue. Chris Brown remained sidelined with back problems, but could return as soon as Monday.

Bell's return is still uncertain. His injury was most likely caused from being behind conditioning-wise from the rest of the team.

"To be honest with you he's not in the shape the rest of our football team is and we found that out real fast," coach Gary Kubiak said. "He got gassed the first night he was out here, he got gassed earlier today, and he's not up with our team. Unfortunately, that's what happens when you bring guys in the middle of camp or stuff. If they're not in excellent shape; they get exposed in a way very, very quick. I just don't think he was in very good condition."

--With Chris Myers settled in as the team's new starting center, the Texans must make a decision on who will back up Myers. Chris White is a versatile lineman who can play guard and center. He was the primary backup last season until a new injury cut his season short.

Because of possibly only suiting up seven linemen for games on Sundays, the Texans are trying to figure out other options. They also like what they have seen from Greg Eslinger, who is strictly a center.

"What we have to do is we've got to prepare that if we suit seven, who are those seven," coach Gary Kubiak said. "So we're getting (G Mike) Brisiel some work at center because that could always be an option. Of course, Eslinger to me is really an improved player. So we'll see how it pans out."

--The Texans are now officially one week away from starting their preseason schedule. Next Saturday, the Texans will match up against the Denver Broncos at 7 p.m. in Reliant Stadium.

Coach Gary Kubiak said the entire team and coaching staff is going to be ready to hit the field against another opponent by next weekend.

"For the players, when you walk in camp it's a long time before you actually get to walk into a stadium and play, but now there is a little light at the end of the tunnel each week," Kubiak said. "We just hope we get a few of these kids back next week and get healthy and get ready to play next weekend."

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I'd rather not be a sleeper. I'd rather be a guy that people are expecting to do well, but I guess that gives me more motivation." -- TE Owen Daniels, on being referred to as a "sleeper" fantasy pick in some publications.