Gerald

Sensabaugh

LaCanfora backs up defensive coordinator Wade Phillips’ promise that the Texans will aggressively target defensive needs this summer. The front office and coaching staff feel pressure to “finally break through” with the first playoff berth in franchise history, and the first step is fixing the league’s worst secondary. LaCanfora expects Johnathan Joseph to be a fallback option. Safety Gerald Sensabaugh, who played under Phillips in Dallas, could be targeted as well.

“Gerald has a history of playing being able to play through some different injuries, so hopefully he can do that again,” said coach Jason Garrett, and Sensabaugh said he plans on playing in Thursday’s game against Miami. Barry Church would step in if Sensabaugh cannot go.

Neither Austin nor CB Mike Jenkins (hamstring) is expected to return for Thursday’s game. Fill-in Laurent Robinson has been a fantasy rock with five touchdowns in his past four games. Cowboys FB Tony Fiammetta (illness) and FS Gerald Sensabaugh (foot) are also in danger of missing the Dolphins game.

“It’s on the back on the ball of my foot,” Sensabaugh said. “Any time I tried to put pressure on it, it hurt.” The good news is that Sensabaugh now has 10 days to rest and recuperate after gutting it out in the Week 12 victory.

Sensabaugh continues to live up to his reputation of playing through minor injuries. CB Mike Jenkins (hamstring) and WR Miles Austin (hamstring) are both inactive, as expected. The rest of the Cowboys inactives: QB Jon Kitna, FB Tony Fiammetta, G Daniel Loper, D David Arkin and DE Clifton Geathers.

Sensabaugh, 28, played this season on a one-year, $2.5 million contract. He has started all 12 games, racking up a pair of interceptions and two forced fumbles to go with 60 tackles (50 solo). Sensabaugh is unlikely to last through the end of the deal, so it’s probably a bit back loaded. Pro Football Focus has graded Sensabaugh as a top-ten safety in the league this season, performing effectively in both coverage and run support.

Versatile Gerald Sensabaugh appears to be ticketed for free safety this season. Church is a physical in-the-box enforcer type, while Pool is more of a ballhawking option. We expect Pool to win the job and Church to be the No. 3 safety.

Sensabaugh admits the knee isn’t quite 100 percent yet after mid-July surgery, but he should be at full strength well before Week 1. Sensabaugh managed 75 tackles, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions in 16 starts last year.

Sensabaugh missed minicamp and part of OTAs as a precaution, but the soreness wouldn’t subside. Although the club has confirmed it to be a minor “cleanup” procedure, he still might have to take it easy during camp. As a returning starter armed with a new five-year contract extension, Sensabaugh doesn’t need a ton of practice reps to get ready for the season. Barry Church and rookie Matt Johnson are candidates to fill in.