Texans Place Randy Bullock on IR

davidio840 · Aug 27, 2012

Torn Groin Muscle.

http://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexans/2012/08/texans-place-former-am-kicker-bullock-on-injured-reserve-with-torn-groin-muscle/

When he appeared for his weekly inquisition Sunday at Reliant Stadium, Gary Kubiak was not a happy coach.

It wasn’t the 34-27 loss at New Orleans on Saturday that irritated Kubiak. It was a decision made for him that would settle the kicking competition between rookie Randy Bullock and veteran Shayne Graham.

“I’m not in a good mood today,” Kubiak said. “Let’s get this over with. We lost Randy. He’s going on injured reserve. I just found out 15 minutes ago. He has torn a muscle somewhere in the groin area.

“I feel bad for the kid. I just got through visiting with him. It’s just so disappointing.”

Kubiak should have been relieved. With Bullock lost for the season, Graham, 34, becomes the third kicker in team history behind Kris Brown and Neil Rackers.

Naturally, Kubiak was disappointed for fellow Aggie Bullock, a fifth-round pick who grew up in Klein and won the Lou Groza Award at Texas A&M last year as the nation’s top college kicker.

“It had been bothering him for a couple of weeks, and he continued to kick through it,” Kubiak said. “He came in here today, and it was black and blue. It’s a sad situation. He was pretty darn good, but he wasn’t himself.”

Bullock suffered the injury in camp and missed a couple of days of practice. His kickoffs hadn’t gotten the distance the coaches wanted, but he was 3-of-4 on field-goal tries. He connected from 52 yards and missed from 51.

Graham gets job

“He comes in this morning, and he can’t even pick his leg up,” Kubiak said.

Bullock’s groin injury spared Kubiak from giving Graham his pink slip and trying to explain why he was being cut after kicking well.

Graham, 34, and competing in his 13th training camp, has been outstanding. He’s 5-of-5 on field goals, including from 48, 49 and 53 yards.

“Thankfully, we’ve got Shayne, who has done a hell of a job, too,” Kubiak said. “He was pushing him neck and neck.”

Graham has been in the NFL longer than the Texans. He got work at Cincinnati for seven years but bounced around until he landed in Houston.

“He’s been real consistent in what he’s doing,” Kubiak said. “He’s made every kick. I’ve been impressed with his kickoffs, too.”

Too bad every decision isn’t that easy. The Texans reduced their roster to 75 on Sunday. That’s the easy cut. The toughest one is Friday, when they have to reach the final 53. They can sign their practice squad the next Tuesday after players clear waivers.

Monday, Kubiak must decide if Derek Newton or Rashad Butler is going to start at right tackle. They have rotated in the preseason. Expect Newton to be the choice. He started the New Orleans game.

Proving grounds

By Friday afternoon, Kubiak and general manager Rick Smith will have made the toughest personnel decisions in all their years together.

“There are a lot of jobs to be won Thursday night,” Kubiak said about the Minnesota game at Reliant Stadium. “It’s very, very competitive at cornerback. Safety is extremely competitive, too.”

So many questions, so little time. Will they keep three quarterbacks on the active roster? Will they sign a tight end and fullback?

Those are questions only Kubiak and Smith can answer. Barring another serious injury, no answer is automatic.
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htownrox1 · Aug 27, 2012

Graham was a lock anyway.

Major Malcontent · Aug 27, 2012

Rather have the veteran this year anyway.

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Texans Place Randy Bullock on IR

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