Texans WR Johnson hurt in practice

HOUSTON Johnson was running a slant route in an individual drill and leaped to catch a pass, with rookie cornerback Roc Carmichael defending. Johnson couldn't make the catch and came down shaking his left hand. He took off his glove, his finger was bleeding and he walked to the sideline, where a trainer examined him.

General manager Rick Smith walked over to Johnson before the five-time Pro Bowl selection left the field on a cart.

Coach Gary Kubiak did not know the severity of Johnson's injury after the morning practice. He did not see the play and was hoping that Johnson would be ready for the afternoon workout.

"We're getting it looked at," Kubiak said. "I've got a big lump in my throat like everybody else, but hopefully, he'll be fine."

The 6-foot-3, 223-pound Johnson had 86 catches for 1,216 yards last season, ranking sixth in both categories.

Johnson was the third overall pick in the 2003 draft, he's the only player in league history to reach 60 receptions in each of his first eight years in the league.

Second-year receiver Dorin Dickerson took Johnson's first-team reps for the remainder of practice. Kubiak also said cornerback Jason Allen and guard Wade Smith missed some snaps on Tuesday, due to illness.

Linebacker Brian Cushing has sat out team drills for the first two days, as he continues to recover from offseason knee surgery. Cushing had an ice wrap on his knee after Tuesday's workout, and Kubiak says Cushing is "a few days away" from returning to full action.

Smith acknowledged on Tuesday that the team is talking to two free agents -- defensive end Ty Warren and fullback Lawrence Vickers.

The 6-5, 300-pound Warren placed for New England from 2003-09 and spent last season in injured reserve with a hip injury. The 6-foot, 250-pound Vickers has played five seasons with Cleveland. Houston is looking to replace All-Pro fullback Vonta Leach, who helped Arian Foster lead the NFL in rushing in 2010.