Texans owner Robert McNair wants to see the NFL expand its regular season schedule from 16 to 18 games. Talks on expanding the season gained momentum at the owners' meeting in Atlanta on Wednesday, though a vote was held off. McNair says moving to an 18-game regular season "makes sense," while acknowledging that several issues still have to be worked out. "I think we can figure out a way to make it work, and everybody will be happy," McNair said.

Texans tight end Owen Daniels hopes to be cleared to practice by next week. "I'm starting to feel like I'm back to normal again," said Daniels, who will undergo an MRI on Tuesday and meet with Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday. Daniels suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the eighth game of last season at Buffalo.

The NFL on Thursday upheld the four-game suspension of Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing for violating the league's substance abuse policy. The league issued the following statement: "At the request of Texans owner Bob McNair, Commissioner Goodell reviewed additional medical information presented on behalf of Brian Cushing. The club and Cushing were notified today that after carefully considering all the information, including a review by outside medical experts, the commissioner finds no basis for changing the decision and that Mr. Cushing's suspension for the first four games of the regular season remains in place."

Ben Tate was injured at the end of a 12-yard run in the third quarter of Saturday's game. X-rays indicate that Tate likely broke his ankle and he will be miss for the remainder of the season. The Texans drafted Tate in the second round in case Arian Foster didn't pick up where he left off last year and Steve Slaton didn't get healthy and over his fumble problem.

The Seahawks are interested in free-agent defensive end Aaron Schobel, but Seattle general manager John Schneider expects Schobel to sign with the Texans. "Candidate? Absolutely, but he sounds like he is well on his way to Houston is basically what the message we've received," Schneider told John Clayton on 710 ESPN Radio.

Texans linebacker Brian Cushing said Monday that his positive test for a fertility drug last year was the result of overtrained athlete syndrome. It's a "unique" condition he contends can trigger hormonal spikes. Texans owner Bob McNair was in New York on Monday and was expected to cite the syndrome in urging NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to reduce or rescind Cushing's four-game suspension.

Texans owner Bob McNair will meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday in New York regarding linebacker Brian Cushing's suspension for the use of performance-enhancing drugs. Cushing was suspended for four games without pay after testing positive last September for hCG, a fertility drug that is on the league's banned substance list. McNair hopes to present new evidence that will shorten or eliminate Cushing's suspension.

The Patriots have joined the Seahawks and Texans in pursuit of free-agent defensive end/linebacker Matt Schobel. Schobel was released by the Bills recently. The Texans are considered heavy favorites to sign Schobel, who lives in the Houston area. CSN New England's Mike Giardi cited a source in reporting Sunday that the Patriots have "strong" interest in Schobel.

highest-paid receiver in the NFL. Johnson received a two-year extension worth $23.5 million, with a maximum value of $38.5 million. He gets $13 million guaranteed. His deal is worth a max value of seven years and $73.5 million ? an average of $10.5 million a year. The contract also has incentive bonuses and built-in escalators that can make it even more valuable. "This will make him a Texan for life," Texans general manager Rick Smith said.

Andre Johnson and the Texans are close to signing a new contract that could make him the highest-paid player in the NFL at his position. Johnson has five years remaining on his current contract. He's scheduled to make a base salary of $5.8 million this season. He said at the start of training camp last week that he wanted to be the highest-paid receiver in the league. Owner Bob McNair said he expected to have the deal wrapped up in two weeks, but it's not going to take that long, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said Wednesday night.