The Houston Texans may be without starting linebacker Brooks Reed for Sunday's season-opener against the Miami Dolphins.
The second-year player out of the University of Arizona has been battling a sore hip and was held out of practice on Friday. He'll join Texans running back Arian Foster as a game-time decision, according to Texans coach Gary Kubiak.
Kubiak remains "optimistic" that both players will be able to play, but will work them out before Sunday's game and decide accordingly.
It's likely that first-round draft pick Whitney Mercilus, who led the team with 3.5 sacks in the preseason, would get a start at linebacker if Reed is unable to play. Mercilus would play the weak side, and Connor Barwin would switch to the strong side to replace Reed.
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