Football
Associated Press 19y

Gaffney to play for first time since shoulder surgery

HOUSTON -- Jabar Gaffney said he'll breathe a huge sigh of
relief after he takes a hit on Thursday night.

The receiver will play for the first time since offseason
shoulder surgery. He's participated in camp and practiced on a
limited, non-contact basis but won't feel confident about his
shoulder until he's hit in Houston's final preseason game in Tampa.

"It's just going to be about getting out there and taking that
first lick and then going from there," he said. "I just want to
know that my shoulder's going to be all right once I get hit."

He's so anxious to get the first contact out of the way he said
he might try to hit someone on his first play.

Gaffney, who will likely start opposite Pro Bowler Andre
Johnson, had surgery on the rotator cuff of his left shoulder in
March.

He wore a red jersey throughout camp to keep teammates from
hitting him.

The 6-foot-1 and 193-pound player has not missed game in three
seasons with the Texans. He started 12 games last season and caught
41 passes for a career-high 632 yards. He has 116 receptions for
1,517 yards in his career.

For someone who hasn't missed a game in his professional career,
sitting out has been difficult.

"It's been real tough sitting back watching everybody make
plays and do what they do out there," he said. "I've been wanting
to be out there with them and now I get a chance to."

Coach Dom Capers said Gaffney could have played earlier, but
that the staff wanted to be cautious. Capers thinks that Gaffney
will be prepared to play.

"He's really done all the things assignment-wise," Capers
said. "It's just going to be going out there and playing at full
speed -- taking hits and diving and doing some things he hasn't
done. It's just a matter of taking that next step and getting to
the point where he feels comfortable doing those things."

The former second-round draft pick said his shoulder "feels
good" and that he knows all the plays and his assignments.

He has looked good at practices, stretching to grab passes and
skillfully running routes.

Quarterback David Carr said he's excited to have Gaffney back
and that his presence will improve the team.

"Gaff's a smart guy," Carr said. "What's nice about him is he
understands defenses almost as well as us sitting in the
quarterback room. We'll be even better when he comes back."

Capers said he expects Houston's starters to play no more than
one series in Thursday's game.

By sitting on the sidelines, Gaffney has had a chance to check
out the offense and is encouraged despite the unit's poor showing
in a 21-9 loss to Dallas Saturday.

"We've been doing some good things but there's some things we
need to improve on before the opener," he said. "Right now we're
almost ready to play."

Houston opens the regular season on Sept. 11 at Buffalo.
^Notes:@ RB Domanick Davis will not play against Tampa Bay. He
bruised his right elbow and sprained his right ankle against
Dallas. ...CB Dunta Robinson will also miss the game as he recovers
from an ankle sprain. ...The Texans must cut their roster from 65
players to the final 53-man roster by Sunday.

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