With Rosevelt Colvin being released in the final round of cuts, the Texans will have N.D. Kalu as their top pass rusher off the bench. The first team didn't get any sacks in the preseason, but Kalu was successful in hurrying opposing quarterbacks at times. The Texans will also try to use some of their linebackers in pass-rush packages. It didn't work well in the preseason for them.

PLAYER NOTES

--CB Eugene Wilson was signed by the Texans to help add experience and depth at defensive back. Wilson gives the team another cornerback and one with experience as a nickel back, which is one of the team's areas of weakness.

--OT Ephraim Salaam (knee) returned to practice Wednesday and is expected to be the top backup to Duane Brown at left tackle.

--OT Rashad Butler (shoulder) returned to practice and will be the top backup at right tackle to Eric Winston.

--RB Steve Slaton (turf toe) is back at practice and worked afterward with Ahman Green on some extra blocking. He is expected to play this week and could split carries with Green and Chris Taylor.

--LB Xavier Adibi (Achilles) missed practice again and will not suit up for the season opener. The Texans hope by continuing to rest him, that he will be able to practice next week. Each time they have brought him back, he has suffered a setback. So they are trying to give him ample time this time around.

--LT Duane Brown said he is nervous but ready to start his first NFL game. The Texans will have him on the left side protecting Matt Schaub's blindside.

--SAM Zac Diles will make his first start with the Texans. He moved from the middle to the outside in the offseason and won the starting job. The Texans expect to capitalize on his speed and athleticism on the outside.

--RB Ahman Green has continued to make strides in practice and remains slated to be the starter Sunday. He hasn't played since he injured his groin on the first play of the first preseason game.

--LG Chester Pitts has missed some time in the preseason but is expected to start. He will likely be the one constantly in rookie LT Duane Brown's ear as the season opens. Pitts plans to talk to him before, during and after every snap to make sure the rookie knows where to go.

GAME PLAN: The Texans will enter the game trying to run, run, run. They know that is the best way to keep Ben Roethlisberger off the field. The Texans will likely lean on all three running backs -- Ahman Green, Chris Taylor and Steve Slaton. If the running game ends up running in place, the Texans will have to turn to their passing game and hope they can keep the protection solid against the Steelers' tough pass rush. The Texans want to keep Matt Schaub on his feet, and the Steelers will likely try to go after rookie left tackle Duane Brown.

On defense, they will try to thwart the running game first. They would like to force Roethlisberger to throw and then rattle him by moving around their d-linemen, like Mario Williams. Their pass-rush strategies didn't work in the preseason, and the Texans hope they can right it by kickoff Sunday.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Steelers RB Willie Parker vs. Texans DT Travis Johnson. Known for his run-stopping ability, Johnson will have his work cut out for him in the season opener going against Parker. The Texans hope Johnson will have his best season as he enters a contract year. Parker, meanwhile, has been consistently strong -- especially in season openers. In the past three openers, Parker has eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark, averaging 128.3 yards per game on the ground.

Texans LT Duane Brown vs. Steelers pass rush. The Steelers love to disguise their pass rush and they will try to take advantage of the Texans' rookie left tackle. QB Matt Schaub took too many hits last year and ended up missing a lot of time. Their key is to keep him on his feet this season, and much of that task will rest on the shoulders of Brown, who will be protecting Schaub's blind side. Last season, the Steelers were able to rack up 36 sacks, including six in their season opener. Schaub wasn't sacked in the preseason, and the Texans would like to build such a streak up in the regular season.