Johnson ready for camp, LT Brown remains unsigned

HOUSTON - Star receiver Andre Johnson will be back on the field, but first-round pick Duane Brown might not be when the Houston Texans open camp Friday.

Johnson has recovered from arthroscopic knee surgery that kept him out of Houston's offseason workouts. Brown, the 26th pick in the draft, remained the Texans only unsigned draft pick Thursday.

The Texans continued to try and work out a deal Thursday. They expect Brown to start at left tackle this season, so it is important that he not miss time in camp.

A couple of players said they had spoken to Brown and encouraged him to get to camp on time, but right tackle Eric Winston said he wouldn't have the same advice if he talked to him.

"I'm not going to tell him that," Winston said. "That's his business and he has to do what he needs to do. I hope he gets as much money as he can. I really do. If he has to hold out for a day or two, if that's what he feels like he needs to do, I'm not going to tell him one way or another."

Brown, who was projected by most as a second-round pick, played just one season at left tackle in college after spending his first year at tight end and two years at right tackle. He didn't do very well lining up against Mario Williams in offseason practices, but coaches are confident he'll improve with time and practice.

Johnson missed seven games last season with a knee injury and had surgery in mid-May after a nagging pain remained in his knee.

"I'm actually feeling pretty good," he said. "I was out running routes yesterday with Matt (Schaub). I haven't had any pain since I've been out running or anything."

The sixth-year player, who had a career-high eight touchdowns last season, said he won't be limited in practice. He had 60 receptions for 851 yards in nine games in 2007. He'll pair with Schaub, who begins his second season as the starting quarterback.

Schaub also struggled with injuries last season, missing five games and portions of several more with various ailments. He said he has recovered from offseason surgery to repair his non-throwing shoulder.

Johnson is looking forward to the possibilities for the offense if he, Schaub and Ahman Green can stay healthy this season. As usual, Johnson said his only goal is to get the Texans their first playoff berth.

"Anything else, it really doesn't matter," he said

To do that, the Texans must fare much better in AFC South games. Houston was 1-5 in the division last season with the only win coming against a Jacksonville team that had made the playoffs and rested most starters. The Texans were the only team in the division that didn't make the postseason last year.

"Against those teams, we tend not to play our best football and that's just something we have to change," Johnson said. "We play three division games in our first five so that's going to be pretty big. We have to get off to a great start because if you go out and lose those three games, you can be out of it five games into the season. Guys know what we have to do to get to where we want to be."