Chris Brown could start at running back for the Texans on Sunday. Steve Slaton is nursing a shoulder injury. Brown had 11 carries for 36 yards against the Titans last Monday night. "They haven't said anything to me," said Brown. "I prepare every week and practice hard and whatever happens, happens. "I knew I was going to play a decent amount. I wasn't sure how much. It depends on how the game was going to unfold, and we went from there. When they throw you in, you have to execute."

Texans running back Steve Slaton will start on Monday against the Titans. Slaton, who has lost five fumbles this season, was replaced by Ryan Moats in the starting lineup on Nov. 8 against the Colts. "I had an assumption that I would start, but nothing was concrete until now," Slaton told the Houston Chronicle. "I'm happy about it. It's an opportunity I have to take full advantage of."

The Texans will not pursue free agent running back Larry Johnson. Johnson was placed on waivers by the Chiefs on Monday. "We took all the factors into consideration ? football, off-the-field issues, and we determined that it wasn't a good fit for us at this time," general manager Rick Smith said. "We've got confidence in our backs. When we come back from our open date, we expect big things out of them."

The Redskins, Bears and Texans all appear at least somewhat interested in signing Larry Johnson. "Any player that's available, we look at," said Bears coach Lovie Smith. "That's been our standard policy throughout. That'll be the case with Larry." Houston coach Gary Kubiak agreed. "When a name like that comes on the free agent market like today, we'll obviously go back and take a look at him just like any other player," Kubiak said. "Obviously, he's been a good player in this league and I'm sure he'll get a lot of interest from a lot of people."

The Texans will start running back Ryan Moats against the Colts on Sunday. Moats ran for 126 yards against the Bills last week. He'll start in favor of Steve Slaton, who has struggled to hold onto the football. Slaton has fumbled seven times this season.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak isn't in a hurry to name a starting running back. Ryan Moats rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns after starter Steve Slaton was benched. Kubiak took Slaton out following his fifth fumble of the season against Buffalo on Sunday. Houston wants their running back to block and catch passes as well. "Protecting Matt (Schaub) is a huge priority," Kubiak told the Houston Chronicle. "Ryan and Steve are about the same from that standpoint. Chris [Brown] is probably a little bit better than both of them. That's why we have Chris in a lot of those situations. Hands-wise, they both (Slaton and Moats) have great hands. Steve can go outside like a receiver, so we've got a little more confidence in him in that standpoint."

Texans tight end Owen Daniels will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a right knee injury on Sunday. He tore his right ACL in the first quarter of Houston's 31-10 win over Buffalo, according to a team source.