In the NFL, when a player is injured, it’s next man up.
What do you do when the injured player is your punter?
This is the scenario the Houston Texans will have to face as they gear up for the New England Patriots Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT at NRG Stadium. Punter Bryan Anger has been limited in practice throughout the week with a right quad injury. Anger is also listed on the injury report as questionable for the Week 11 matchup.
“I’ve got my fingers crossed with Anger,” interim coach Romeo Crennel said Friday.
If Anger is unable to go, the Texans could go with kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn, who was able to execute a fake field goal punt last week against the Cleveland Browns in the 10-7.
“Most kickers can punt some, but whether you want to call them punters or not, I’m not sure,” Crennel said. “I know that he’s punted some balls in practice. But it’s like being a quarterback. A lot of guys can throw in practice, but when you’re back there behind that line with the rush coming, it’s a different deal.”
Should Anger not be able to go for Houston, Texans fans will all be crossing their fingers every time the punt team takes the field.