Leinart, Andre Johnson connecting again

HOUSTON — The ball arrived on time, and the route, as usual, was precise.

On most days at Methodist Training Center, such a sequence is routine and, therefore, forgettable. But when it occurred Monday, it was memorable.

Under the watchful eyes of Texans owner Bob McNair and coach Gary Kubiak, freshly anointed starting quarterback Matt Leinart uncorked a tight spiral on an in-route to Andre Johnson, who plucked the ball out of the air and turned upfield, seemingly all in one motion.

Cue the whistles and catcalls.

“No. 80 is back!” shouted running back Arian Foster.

Johnson rejoined his teammates Monday, back at full speed after what will likely amount to a six-game layoff from a hamstring injury incurred Oct. 2 against Pittsburgh. The All-Pro wide receiver is expected to start Sunday in Jacksonville.

“Andre was fine,” Kubiak said. “He took all his reps with the team. We will monitor his reps in practice and probably going into the game, but all systems should be go this weekend.”

Johnson was engaged in rehabilitation following practice and did not speak to the media.

As for the other end of the connection, Leinart is engaged in his own form of rehab, but it's nothing from the physical standpoint. Well, perhaps rust — the former first-round pick hasn't started a game since 2009 — but preparing for his first significant action in two seasons has meant not only regaining trust in himself but of those around him.

“(My teammates) know I've been through a lot in my career, and I've been up and down, and ever since I got here, I've ... been surrounded by a lot of positivity,” he said. “(I've) gotten my confidence back over the last 18 months, and I just feel good. I feel good, ready for this opportunity, and it's great to have a great group of guys on this team — not just on our side of the ball, but on this team.

“I know the guys have my back, and for me, it's just a matter of just going out there and just leading the team and just managing the game, and we've got a great group of guys around me.”

Left tackle Duane Brown liked what he saw.

“He looked pretty sharp out there today,” he said of Leinart. “On point, strong arm, good in our audibles, things like that, getting us into the right plays, so we're excited going forward.”

Click here to order Andre Johnson’s proCane Rookie Card.


(mysanantonio.com)