DeMarcus

Faggins

Their nickel corner played well last season and was a restricted free agent.

Faggins will miss week 10 because of the injury. Phillip Buchanon will likely replace him at cornerback.

Houston considered inserting rookie Fred Bennett after Faggins committed three big penalties in Week 4, but feels he provides the best chance to win right now. Jamar Fletcher will keep his job as nickel back as well.

After 2006, “Petey” was expected to face a challenge for the job, but Houston only drafted fourth-rounder Fred Bennett and signed journeyman Jamar Fletcher to add depth. The Texans’ pass defense remains suspect on paper.

Bennett has good size and has been excellent in practice, while Faggins was the victim on several long pass plays through the first four games. The general belief is that Faggins could be an elite nickel corner for Houston.

X-rays after Sunday’s win revealed the injury. Robinson is one of the team’s two best defenders, and their only stable cornerback. With fourth-round rookie Fred Bennett and DeMarcus Faggins now starting, Houston’s pass defense could be among the league’s worst in the second half of the season.