-- OG Charles Spencer was released by the team before training camp started. Because they were unsure he'd be ready to play, they didn't want to risk him filling up one of their 80-man spots in camp. They said once he was ready to play, he could re-sign with the team. But Charlotte snatched him up off waivers already.
--T Duane Brown signed a five-year, $9.1 million contract that could be worth $11.5 million and includes $6.2 million in guarantees. The Texans have him practicing with the first team.
--G Mike Brisiel fractured his nose during the first day of training camp. He didn't miss a practice though. He's been playing with a splint on it.
--RB Ahman Green will be one of the handful of veterans allowed to practice just once a day. The Texans typically have two practices a day throughout all of training camp.
--WR Andre Johnson said he isn't exactly where he was before injuring his knee last season, but he isn't being held back in practices and his knee is responding well to the work.
BATTLE OF THE WEEK: Mike Brisiel vs. Fred Weary for starting RG job -- Brisiel has the upper hand early as Weary continues to battle back from a season-ending injury he suffered in 2007. Brisiel is a hard worker who improved drastically last season when he was thrown into the starting role. He also impresses the coaches with his work habits. He broke his nose the first day of practice, but wears a splint on it and hasn't missed a repetition since.
OTHER BATTLE FRONTS: Duane Brown vs. Ephraim Salaam for the starting LT job -- Brown is taking all the reps with the first team, but if he falters, Salaam will be happy to reprise the role he played for the past 30 games. ... Kevin Bentley vs. Zac Diles for OLB -- Diles has the upper hand, but Bentley is trying to get some time of his own there. He joined the Texans in the offseason so he could compete for a starting job.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: CB Antwaun Molden -- The rookie put up some big plays, catching interceptions and harassing wide receivers in the opening practices. He has great technique and is impressing the coaches with how far along he already is. He will be pushing for playing time and eventually push Jacques Reeves for a starting job.
ROOKIE REPORT: LT Duane Brown has struggled to deal with the heat at times, and he's trying to lose about 10 pounds to put him at 315. But overall, he's taking a lot of reps each day and lining up with the first team. ... CB Antwaun Molden is really turning some heads. He's quickly moving up the depth chart. He has good speed and great instincts. ... RB Steve Slaton is already a fan favorite. He has big-time speed the other running backs lack. He's still slated to be a third-down back. ... DT Frank Okam is fitting in well. He is working at nose tackle and as a three-technique tackle. He mostly rushed the passer inside at Texas, but the coaches see him more as a run stopper in the NFL.
INJURY REPORT: CB Dunta Robinson was placed on the training camp PUP and is expected to start the season on the PUP as well. His rehabilitation is going well, and the coaches are optimistic he will contribute in the second half of the year.
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