Texans SLB Brian Cushing is a candidate for minor knee surgery this offseason.
A decision will be made in the next couple of weeks. Cushing played through multiple knee injuries, rib fractures, a broken hand, and a broken pinkie in his rookie season. If he has the surgery, Cushing should still be fine for OTAs.
The Texans are expected to pick up Matt Schaub's $10 million option on Thursday or Friday.
Owner Bob McNair announced his intention to pick up Schaub's option a month ago, and the MVP-winning performance in the Pro Bowl may have accelerated the move. After joining the league's elite quarterbacks in performance this season, Schaub's six-year, $48M deal is outdated.
The Texans have signed coach Gary Kubiak to a new three-year contract that runs through 2012.
Kubiak actually turned down a fourth year because he wanted to be "on the same path" as his assistants, whose contracts expire in 2012. Though he's yet to turn the Texans into a serious contender, Kubiak (31-33 in four years) has them headed in the right direction for the first time in franchise history. He's rewarded for being in Wild Card contention until the final day of the season, and the team is poised to finally break through in 2010.
Texans coach Gary Kubiak revealed in an interview with The Score 1510 in Denver that Steve Slaton underwent surgery to repair nerve damage in his neck in mid-January.
Kubiak believes the nerve issue may have been at the root of Slaton's fumbling problems last season. Beat writer John McClain has reported that the injury is not career-threatening, and Slaton is expected to eventually get back to 100 percent. The surgery, however, makes it even less likely that he'll be counted on for the featured back role in 2010. The Texans are expected to make running back a priority on draft day.
Texans owner Bob McNair said late Monday that the team is in serious talks about a contract extension for Gary Kubiak.
"Now we're in the process of working on Gary's extension, and I think probably by next week, we'll have his finalized," McNair said. "His will run at least one year longer than (2012), maybe more." Kubiak is entering his fifth year as Texans head coach and the last year on his old contract. "I think continuity's extremely important in building a strong team," McNair said.
Matt Schaub was named the MVP of the Pro Bowl after leading the AFC to a 41-34 win.
Schaub went 13-of-17 for 189 yards with two touchdowns passes -- one to teammate Andre Johnson and another to Brandon Marshall. After leading the NFL in passing yards and playing in all 16 games in 2009, Schaub will be on everyone's fantasy radar heading into fantasy drafts. He'll deservedly be one of the first five quarterbacks off the board.
The Texans ranked second in the NFL in run defense after SS Bernard Pollard cracked the starting lineup in Week 4.
They allowed a single 100-yard rusher (Chris Johnson) during that span. Pollard, an impending restricted free agent, was also a turnover-creating machine at strong safety. He's a candidate for a sizable offseason extension.
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