National Football League

Texans start Schaub at QB, Keenum sidelined with thumb injury

Published Dec. 29, 2013 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Houston Texans are starting Matt Schaub for a second straight week at quarterback with Case Keenum deactivated against the Tennessee Titans with his injured right thumb.

Keenum was limited in practice Friday by an injured ligament in his right thumb that kept him out of last week's game. Schaub was benched after six games for Keenum, and Schaub was intercepted twice in last week's loss to Denver.

The Texans also have deactivated running back Dennis Johnson and will start Jonathan Grimes for Sunday's game. Middle linebacker Joe Mays also is out and being replaced by Jeff Tarpinian.

The Titans have scratched defensive tackle Jurrell Casey with an injured right knee, and right tackle David Stewart is missing his second straight. Byron Stingily starts in his place.