Ed Reed and Brian Cushing Absent From First Spring Workout

Sept. 16, 2012; Jacksonville FL, USA; Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing (56) gets warmed up before the start of their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports

The Texans’ first spring workout began on Monday, and as expected, Ed Reed and Brian Cushing were nowhere to be seen.

Reed is still recovering from hip surgery earlier this month in Colorado, according to Fox News. Cushing is reportedly close to one hundred per cent, but will probably miss OTA’s altogether.

The Texans’ OTA’s will run from now through until June 6, so there’s plenty of time  for Reed and Cushing to return to the practice field later on. Fully padded practices won’t begin until later in the year, so there’s no risk of hard hits or more strain on the injuries just yet.

Finally, the last word out of day one’s session was kind of scary (in a good way). The Texans’ official site posted a list of quotes coming from the likes of Gary Kubiak and others, but the standout came from J.J. Watt who commented on his goals in 2013:

"“Higher and higher. Higher and higher. There is no reason to try and repeat last year. I’m trying to be better than last year. Every single day I come to work out, every day I come to practice, I’m trying to be better than I was last year.”"

Looks like we can expect 30.5 sacks and eight fumbles this year.