HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans seem to have a host of issues.
Mario Williams is out for the year, quarterback Matt Schaub is hurting, and the Texans (3-3) have lost two in a row heading into a pivotal divisional matchup in Tennessee (3-2) this week.
Houston faltered in the fourth quarter for the second straight game on Sunday, losing 29-14 in Baltimore.
Schaub underwent an MRI exam on Monday, and coach Gary Kubiak says he has a bruised chest and sore hip. Schaub was already playing with a sore throwing shoulder after taking some hard hits in Houston's 25-20 loss to Oakland the previous week.
Kubiak says Schaub is "just banged up" and will likely sit out Wednesday's practice.
"We need him on the field," Kubiak said. "There's not a break in sight right now, it's a month away. We've just got to be smart with him. Throughout the week, if I've got to give him a break, a day a week, or two days a week. Matt can play without the practice."
Kubiak is hoping Andre Johnson can return this week after missing two games with a right hamstring injury. Johnson's workload will increase this week, Kubiak said, and his status for Sunday's game will be determined later.
Johnson was injured in Houston's 17-10 win over Pittsburgh in Week 4, and underwent a minor procedure to repair the hamstring.
"He made a lot of improvement last week," Kubiak said. "I had a long talk with him on Saturday night. He's feeling very, very good. I have a hard time saying (if he'll play Sunday). Maybe there's a chance he sees the practice field before the end of the week."
The Texans haven't yet found a way to make up for Johnson's absence.
Newly acquired Derrick Mason caught three passes for 27 yards in Baltimore, and Kevin Walter had six catches for 52 yards. Tight end Owen Daniels had two catches for 13 yards, but none after the second quarter. Jacoby Jones, who took Johnson's position, caught four passes for 76 yards in Baltimore.
Notes: S Dominique Barber will go on injured reserve after a sustaining a foot injury on Sunday. ... Kubiak said S Danieal Manning (lower leg bruise) and LT Duane Brown (bruised knee) are day to day.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
