The Texans have seen cornerback DeMarcus Faggins struggle in the secondary, but Faggins remains the starter for the game Sunday. Fred Bennett will increase his playing time. He has been inactive the past two weeks because of a hamstring injury he suffered against Carolina. He will play possibly at nickel back and at Faggins' position. Kubiak said he has faith that Faggins will play better this week.

Ron Dayne and Samkon Gado will be the Texans' top running backs heading into Sunday's game if Ahman Green cannot play. Dayne struggled last week and Gado didn't play. But the coaches are confident the two can handle the offense.

The Texans also plan to just go with three active receivers, if Jerome Mathis, Jacoby Jones and Andre Johnson are all still too hurt to play.

PLAYER PERSONNEL NOTES

--WR Jacoby Jones isn't any closer to playing on Sunday. His shoulder is continuing to heal.

--WR Jerome Mathis has been visiting with doctors and the team has finally pinpointed what is wrong with his left lower leg. They are still not giving a timetable for when he will be able to return to the field though.

--RB Ahman Green is still questionable heading into Sunday's game. He hasn't been healthy enough to finish a game yet. If he does play, he will likely split reps with Ron Dayne since Green will only be at about 75-percent.

--DE N.D. Kalu is still nursing a broken hand. He won't likely play until he is able to practice without a cast on. He has had the cast on all this week.

--WR Andre' Davis is looking to record the fourth 100-yard receiving game of his career. He will start for the second week in a row.

--QB Matt Schaub (thigh bruise) practiced and doesn't expect to be hindered by the injury Sunday.

--CB Dunta Robinson is practicing and playing despite hurting his hand Sunday. He doesn't need to wear a cast or any bulky protection.

GAME PLAN
The Texans want to run the ball. That has been Miami's biggest defensive weakness and the Texans' biggest weakness on offense. They need to get improved blocking from their offensive line and open up holes for whoever is able to play -- Ahman Green, Ron Dayne or Samkon Gado.

Defensively, the Texans need to contain Ronnie Brown and limit the big plays. DeMarcus Faggins will definitely be someone the Dolphins offense will look to exploit since he has struggled in recent weeks. The Texans must try to put Faggins in position to succeed.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH
Texans OT Ephraim Salaam vs. Dolphins DE Jason Taylor. Salaam played great against Julius Peppers two weeks ago, almost making Peppers a non-factor in the game. He struggled mightily against John Abraham last week, and pointed the finger at himself for a lot of the problems the offense had last week. Abraham got loose for the lone sack of the game and forced Schaub to fumble. He also had three tackles. One holding call against Salaam negated a touchdown throw by Schaub in the fourth quarter. Taylor is coming off one of the best seasons of his career. He was the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year last year and earned his fifth Pro Bowl invitation.

Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown vs. Texans run defense. Brown has been playing well the last few weeks, and the Texans run defense is the strongest part of their entire team. It has been consistent. No team has even rushed for a total of 100 yards against them. Brown hasn't been slowed by any defenses the last few weeks. He'll work to get through the gaps this week against the Texans, but DeMeco Ryans, Anthony Weaver, Amobi Okoye and Mario Williams will work to stop him from moving the chains.

INJURY IMPACT
Green (knee) practiced a little and said he is feeling significantly better than a week ago. That doesn't mean he will play Sunday though. He still needs to make more progress and the team needs to see how his knee reacts to practicing again. He may be at 75 percent if he plays.

--Jones (shoulder) went through a few drills Wednesday and Thursday, but the pain from his shoulder was still significant. It will take at least one more week until he returns.

--Mathis (lower leg) is still limping too bad to take part in any practice. He is not likely to play.

--Schaub (thigh bruise) practiced and doesn't expect to be hindered by the injury Sunday.

--CB Dunta Robinson is practicing and playing despite hurting his hand Sunday. He doesn't need to wear a cast or any bulky protection.

--WR Andre Johnson is continuing rehab and is likely two more weeks away from returning to practice.

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