HOUSTON (AP) -Houston Texans running back Chris Brown returned to practice Monday after sitting out last week with a sore back.
The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Brown, who signed as a free agent in March, is expected to back up Ahman Green this season. Brown rushed for 462 yards and five touchdowns last year for Tennessee and missed four games with injuries.
Brown took a painkilling injection last week and said his back felt fine after Monday’s workout.
“Everything held up great,” Brown said. “Hopefully, I can just build on that.”
When Brown got hurt, the Texans signed Mike Bell, who was cut by Denver. Bell sat out Monday with a sore hamstring.
Houston coach Gary Kubiak watched Brown closely and cut his schedule short by six plays as a precaution.
“I think we got through clean,” Kubiak said. “We’ll see how he reacts.”
Kubiak planned to hold Brown out of an afternoon workout indoors on artificial turf, but the coach moved the practice outside. Brown felt good enough to practice again.
“My body held up pretty good,” Brown said. “I knew I’d be able to run around out here. This morning, just taking those shots, I feel like I did fine.”
Brown took about 15 snaps in the morning and got the contact he wanted to test his back.
“You don’t know until you start taking hits how it’s really going to react,” he said. “No issues, no flare-up. It didn’t bother me at all.”
Houston averaged 99 rushing yards per game last season, 22nd in the league. Green missed all but six games with a knee injury, but he’s healthy again.
For now, Brown said he’s content with a reserve role.
“As long as we’re winning, everybody’s going to be happy with whatever role they have,” Brown said. “I’ve played in running-back-by-committee roles before. Whoever gets hot, that’s who it’s going to be.”
Notes: WR Andre Johnson skipped the morning practice after suffering a minor groin injury on Saturday. “We’re very fortunate with Andre,” Kubiak said. “But we’re going to take the cautious approach.” Kubiak said he would decide later in the week whether to play Johnson on Saturday. … The Texans signed CB Dexter Wynn and placed DB Jimmy Williams on season-ending injured reserve with a left knee injury.
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