Did anyone really expect Ed Reed to play Monday night?
Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak kept the door open, hinting just days ago that the All-Pro safety wouldn't start but had a "shot" to see snaps against the San Diego Chargers. Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips issued equally sunny reports.
But Reed's own teammate, cornerback Johnathan Joseph, said: "Obviously, (he's) out for this game."
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport heard the same Monday, when a source who spoke with Reed confirmed the free safety made the trip to San Diego but won't play. Driving the nail into the coffin, Reed himself confirmed as much in a text to NFL Media's Albert Breer.
Still working through scar tissue in his surgically repaired hip, Reed recently labeled himself "day to day."
Third-year pro Shiloh Keo is slated to start in Reed's place. The Chargers aren't in for an easy ride against a Texans defense with the firepower to wreak havoc on quarterback Philip Rivers, but Keo, who's making his first NFL start, will be picked on if San Diego has its way.
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