Tim

Dobbins

According to Pro Football Focus, Dobbins played just 76 snaps as a fill-in last season. The 29-year-old has been a strong run defender when pressed into action. He’ll add depth behind Darryl Sharpton and Bradie James on the inside.

Bradie James was the nickel ‘backer. It’s a massive dropoff in talent from Cushing, the Texans’ 2011 team MVP and second-team All-Pro. Drop the Texans D/ST down a slight peg in fantasy circles.

Activated off the PUP list on Saturday, Sharpton will start in place of Tim Dobbins, who is a game-time decision with a shoulder injury. Sharpton played 33-of-68 snaps in Sunday’s win over the Jaguars, notching seven tackles. The 2010 fourth-round pick was limited to just eight games and 55 snaps in 2011 by a torn quad. He could rotate with Dobbins for the rest of the season.

Cushing sustained the injury on a questionable chop block in the second quarter from Jets left guard Matt Slauson. The Texans won’t have a final diagnosis until Cushing undergoes an MRI later Tuesday, but the team was already lamenting his loss after the game Monday. “It’s gonna mean a lot,” DE Antonio Smith said. “Cush is one of the cornerstones of the defense. He’s the captain. He’s a playmaker. He’s a big part of our defense.” Veteran Tim Dobbins will likely step in as a starting inside ‘backer.

“Yeah, (OTAs are) voluntary,” coach Gary Kubiak said. "(Dobbins) isn’t here.” It appears he just didn’t show up. Dobbins is expected to return to a backup role in 2013 after not impressing as a starter last season.

Coach Gary Kubiak was not pleased with his reserve linebacker. “I had an obligation to my family,” Dobbins said Tuesday. “I’ve been having this house a year already, demoed it all myself. I’ve been trying to work on it myself and just trying to learn another skill.” Due just $840,000, Dobbins’ desire to “learn a new skill” shouldn’t cost him his roster spot after he started six games in 2012.

With Brian Cushing and Brooks Reed both out with injury, the Texans can ill afford for Dobbins to miss any time, but he’s expected to play with a cast. The journeyman veteran has graded out roughly neutral in Pro Football Focus’ ratings.

If Dobbins can’t play, the Texans will be forced to go with Barrett Ruud next to Bradie James. Coverage has been an issue since Brian Cushing went down, which means the Bengals could exploit the middle of the field with Andrew Hawkins and Jermaine Gresham.

Dobbins isn’t thought to have a long-term injury, but his “badly” sprained ankle was severe enough that the Texans determined he had no chance to help with their playoff run. Barrett Ruud and Bradie James will be Houston’s starting inside linebackers against Cincinnati. It’s an area the Bengals can attack.

Dobbins made six starts in place of an injured Brian Cushing last season, but ended up coming off the bench for five of the final six games. A severely sprained ankle sent him to injured reserve during the playoffs. A two-down thumper, Dobbins will return to a reserve role if all goes according to plan for the Texans.