Andre Johnson will have an MRI Monday after a kick in the shin left the Texans wide receiver running slower than usual during Sunday's 30-9 loss to the Ravens.
Johnson received a shot in the second quarter to help ease the pain of the bruise and X-rays at halftime were negative. However after attempting to play in the second half, it was clear to head coach Gary Kubiak that his star receiver wasn't 100 percent.
"I watched him the first play, we threw the ball the first play, and I wanted to see him run," Kubiak told ESPN. "I did not think he could run the way he needs to… so we took him out."
Johnson thought he would be fine if he continued to play, pleading his case to the coaching staff, but despite his frustration, he knew his coaches were trying to do what they felt was necessary.
"They thought the best thing was to sit out because we still have a long season ahead of us," Johnson said. "You just kind of go back and forth with the coaches trying to tell them you're OK, hoping that is feels better, running around the sideline, trying to do everything you can."
And Johnson knows the Texans are depending on him to stay healthy for the entire season so Houston can make a return to the playoffs.
"I know when I went out there I couldn't play the way I am capable of playing. You see the film — I'm limping out there and trying to play," Johnson said. "You don't want to do anything that hurts your team. I'd rather have some guys that'll go out there and play better than you can."
Johnson also did not finish the prior week's game against the Tennessee Titans after suffering a concussion late in the fourth quarter, but he was able to return fully to practice on Friday and started the game Sunday in Baltimore.
