The Houston Texans expect Jadeveon Clowney to play in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Clowney returned to practice Aug. 17 after a lengthy recovery from microfracture surgery.

"I think he's doing well," Bill O'Brien said. "I think we've got a good plan in place for him from a medical perspective ... little bit more every day. He wants to be in there more, which is a great sign. It means he's probably feeling pretty good. ... We'll just keep inching him forward to be able to go in that first game."

"I'm rusty," Clowney said. "I'm just trying to get as many reps as I can. Tell coach to put me in as much as possible. They're not trying to rush me back. Working me in slowly. I'll still be trying to get as many reps as I can so I can get ready for the game."

Brian Hoyer has been named the Houston Texans' starting quarterback, beating out Ryan Mallett.

Hoyer and Mallett both have served as backups to Patriots quarterback Tom Brady at one point in their respective careers.

Hoyer signed a two-year, $10.5 million with the Texans this past offseason after spending the last two years with the Cleveland Browns.

Arian Foster will likely need to undergo surgery for a groin injury he suffered during the Houston Texans' first padded camp practice.

Foster likely will miss the start of the regular season. He could be placed on short-term injured reserve, which would allow the Texans to bring him back to practices after Week 6 and into a game after Week 8.

Alfred Blue took over some of Foster's first team reps in his absence.