The Houston Texans finally got positive injury news on Wednesday.
Owen Daniels, the Texans' Pro Bowl tight end, has been cleared to practice beginning next week after meeting with renowned orthopedic surgeon James Andrews Wednesday, Dale Robertson of the Houston Chronicle reported.
Owens called Texans trainer Geoff Kaplan from Andrews' Birmingham, Ala., office to spread the news, Robertson reported.
"Owen's been cleared," Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. "(He is) totally healthy ... and, boy, he's fired up."
Daniels, who made the Pro Bowl in 2008, caught 70 passes for 862 yards and two touchdowns that season and caught 40 passes for 519 yards and five touchdowns in eight games last season. But in the eighth game -- against the Buffalo Bills on Nov. 1 -- he sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament, the rehabilitation from which kept him out throughout the offseason.
He has been on the physically unable to perform list during training camp and preseason, but Robertson said Daniels "had been pushing himself relentless during individual conditioning drills, so his clean bill of health wasn't unexpected."
Daniels has expressed optimism that he will play against the Indianapolis Colts in the Sept. 12 regular-season opener at Houston, and Kubiak seemed optimistic about that on Wednesday.
"It's great for our team," Kubiak said. "We're looking forward to getting him back. No kid's worked harder to get back. He had a setback and he just kept going. So that's a great, great thing."
Said Pro Bowl wide receiver Andre Johnson, "(Daniels) has been busting his butt. I'm very excited for him. He's a big part of our offense."
Daniels' news is a positive for a team that has had a rough week in terms of injuries. Linebackers Danny Clark (knee) and Xavier Adibi (groin), the two players competing for the starting job left vacant in the absence of suspended linebacker Brian Cushing to start the season, aren't expected to play against Dallas Saturday. Linebacker Darryl Sharpton also missed practice early in the week.
Owen Daniels' Knee Cleared for Return to Texans' Practice
Aug 25, 2010 – 6:24 PM
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