HOUSTON (AP) -The Houston Texans figured out a way to field a Heisman Trophy running back after all.

And while Ron Dayne doesn't exactly command the hype of say, Reggie Bush, he's excited that his next chance in the NFL means a reunion with Gary Kubiak, Dayne's offensive coordinator when the two were in Denver.

Of course, now that Kubiak is running the show in Houston, their friendly relationship might be a little different.

``He's down to earth. Real calm and a great guy,'' Dayne said Tuesday, the f

HOUSTON (AP) -The Houston Texans are expected to sign free agent running back Ron Dayne on Monday, a person close to the negotiations told The Associated Press on Sunday night.

The person asked not to be identified because the deal had not been finalized.

Dayne, the 1999 Heisman Trophy winner, was cut by the Denver Broncos on Saturday after entering training camp as the starting tailback.

The move isn't surprising, considering the Texans placed Domanick Davis on injured reserve on Saturday and were l

HOUSTON TEXANS-Placed RB Domanick Davis on injured reserve. Released OT Seth Wand. Claimed DB Roc Alexander off waivers from Denver, DT Atiyyah Ellison off waivers from Carolina, Guss Scott off waivers from New England and WR Edell Shepherd off waivers from Tampa

HOUSTON TEXANS-Placed RB Domanick Davis on injured reserve. Released DT Seth Wand.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS-Released OT Wayne Hunter, DT Anthony Maddox, G Derrick Fletcher, WR Randy Hymes, CB David Richardson, C Brett Romberg, TE Todd Yoder, RB Rich Alexis, DL Walte

HOUSTON (AP) -The Houston Texans placed running back Domanick Davis on injured reserve Saturday, ending his 2006 season.

Davis, Houston's top rusher for the last three seasons, has been out for a month with a bone bruise that is causing soreness in his knee.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak decided that putting him on injured reserve would be the right thing for the team, but isn't happy about the decision.

``He's done everything he can do,'' Kubiak said. ``It's been disappointing for him and disappointing f

HOUSTON (AP) -Those hoping to get another peek at David Carr and most other Houston Texans starters before the regular season won't get it Thursday night.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak said most of his starters will not play against Tampa Bay, the last preseason outing for both teams.

Not all starters will sit out though, with several rookies, including No. 1 pick Mario Williams and second-round choice DeMeco Ryans expected to see some work.

``There's a group of guys that I know will be here playing for u

HOUSTON (AP) -Domanick Davis doesn't know when his injured left knee will be healthy enough for him to return to the field.

The running back hopes the Houston Texans will be patient regardless of how long it takes.

Davis, Houston's top rusher for the past three seasons, has been out for a month with a bone bruise that is causing soreness in his knee. He said it has been frustrating and surprising that the injury has kept him out this long.

``It's getting to the point where it's just draining me,'' he

DENVER (AP) -Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan and his son, Kyle, the Houston Texans' wide receivers coach, were careful not to say too much to each other on the eve of their preseason matchup.

The younger Shanahan said his dad was too sneaky and would undoubtedly pry something out of him, so he wasn't willing to say much more than ``Hey, Dad. See you Sunday night.''

The elder Shanahan said it was his son who was the spy in the family.

``He's pretty good at stealing information. I think he might be

HOUSTON (AP) -Mario Williams recently was photographed in a nightclub sporting a glittering diamond and platinum grill.

Soon after, the Houston Texans' No. 1 draft pick was shocked when a reporter inquired about the pricey removable mouthpiece-like creation made popular by rappers.

``How did you know about that?'' he practically shrieked.

He was just as surprised when reporters learned he had bought the $1.5 million house of a former local university president who was fired for allegedly refurbishing

Though Titans coach Jeff Fisher hasn't anointed Young the starter, he has said the rookie will play. Young, too, has different forms of motivation - most notably that his hometown team, the Houston Texans, passed him over to take defensive lineman Mario Williams with the first pick.

``Every time I go down there, it's going to be different, a little more edge to me when I step out there,'' Young said.

So, who's really the best?

This season, the