Texans WR Andre Johnson Expected To Return This Week After Suffering Chest Injury

After Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson practiced on Thursday, it looks like he’ll be ready to go for Sunday’s matchup against the Bills:

Receiver Andre Johnson participated fully in the Texans practice Thursday, showing no ill-effects from the lung bruise he suffered against the 49ers and leaving little about his being ready to play against the Buffalo Bills Sunday.

“He took pretty close to all the reps he normally takes and he didn’t have any problems,” Kubiak said of Johnson. “It’s not Sunday yet, but I was very encouraged.”

The Houston Chronicle reports that Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said that All-Pro WR Andre Johnson is day-to-day after suffering a long contusion during yesterday’s win over the 49ers.

Johnson will reportedly undergo further testing throughout the week before a final decision about his status is made for the team’s game this Sunday against the Bills.

While there hasn’t been any more word about the extent of Andre Johnson’s injury – which isn’t thought to be serious – there are new details about how exactly he hurt his chest.

According to the Sacramento Bee, Johnson was injured in the 4th quarter during his 44 yard catch that set up the Texans’ winning field goal. Niners CB Shawntae Spencer was covering Johnson on the play, and believes Johnson landed on the ball, which jammed up into his ribs. After the play, the Houston Chronicle reports Johnson coughed up blood before eventually being held out the rest of the game.

Texans fans (and, of course, fantasy owners) worried about a potential long-term injury to offensive star Andre Johnson can seemingly rest easy.

According to the Houston Chronicle, Johnson should be ready to play by next week. If that’s the case, Johnson will have to thank his team’s medical staff; the Chron is reporting that Johnson tried to force himself back on the field a second time, but team trainers hid Johnson’s helmet to “prevent further injury.” Yeesh.

The three-time Pro-Bowler has since gone to a Houston hospital after his fourth-quarter injury against the Niners. Information about Johnson's condition remains vague; we'll have more when the Texans make that information available.