There are a few different ways to kick game-winning field goals, but barefoot isn’t Neil Rackers’ favorite. “That was going to be an option if the shoe wasn’t out there,” Rackers said. “I would have given it a shot. It would have been better than having (the busted) shoe on.” Talk about bad timing. The Texans had clawed and scratched their way from 17 points down to force overtime on an amazing Matt Schaub-to-Andre Johnson touchdown pass. Now they were positioned to win one of those special games, one that just might have some carryover in terms of confidence and resilience and all those other things coaches love. As you might recall, the Texans have an unpleasant recent history when it comes to late-game field-goal attempts. Last season, Kris Brown missed kicks that would have forced overtime against the Colts and Titans, and those misses are why Rackers was signed in the first place. Now, in his first big moment for his new team, he’d suffered the ultimate wardrobe malfunction. — Houston Chronicle

The Texans on Wednesday reached an injury settlement with kicker Kris Brown and restructured the contract of backup quarterback Dan Orlovsky.  When the Texans chose Neil Rackers over Brown last week, Brown was placed on injured reserve until they could reach an injury settlement. He had been kicking despite suffering from plantar fasciitis in his right foot.  Brown, a 12-year veteran, is an unrestricted free agent who can sign with any team.  When Orlovsky threw two first-half interceptions in the last preseason game against Tampa Bay, the Texans signed Matt Leinart to compete with him for the backup job.  Leinart signed a one-year contract for $630,000. He can earn $23,125 for every game he’s designated as the No. 2 quarterback. His contract maxes out at $1 million.  Orlovsky’s restructured deal calls for him to make a base salary of $850,000 — a reduction from $2.25 million. He can make up the difference by earning $25,000 for every game he’s the No. 2 quarterback. Orlovsky also can earn $100,000 for every game he’s the starting quarterback — a maximum of 10 games and $1 million. — Houston Chronicle

After passing his physical on Tuesday, quarterback Matt Leinart signed a one-year Texans contract with a base salary for $630,000. Leinart’s contract can max out at $1 million. If he’s part of the 45-man roster, meaning the backup quarterback and not the third-quarterback designee, he can earn $23,125 per game or a maximum of $370,000. — Houston Chronicle

After he arrived at George Bush Intercontinental Airport from Los Angeles on Monday night, quarterback Matt Leinart promised to do “everything I can to help my team win” when he starts practicing with the Texans on Wednesday. Leinart, who was waived by Arizona last week, will sign a one-year contract to join the team as the third quarterback. Once he learns the system, coach Gary Kubiak will give Leinart a chance to compete with Dan Orlovsky for the backup job behind Matt Schaub. “It feels great to be here,” Leinart said. “I’m so excited to get this opportunity. “I’m looking for a new start. Obviously, things didn’t go the way I wanted (at Arizona), but it’s time to move on. The Texans are a great organization, and I’m really looking forward to working with coach Kubiak.” — Houston Chronicle

Tight end Owen Daniels was cleared last week by Dr. James Andrews to practice. Coach Gary Kubiak hopes Daniels will be able to practice with his teammates for the first time since suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament at Buffalo last season. Daniels won’t play against Tampa Bay on Thursday. If all goes to plan, he will see his first action in the opener against Indianapolis on Sept. 12 at Reliant Stadium. “I think the best-case scenario is he has a good week of practice and has a good week leading up to the Colts game and that he plays 15 to 20 snaps in the game,” Kubiak said. “I think that would be a huge move forward for the team and for Owen.” — Houston Chronicle

Tight end Owen Daniels had a rigorous workout by himself after the Saints and Texans left the morning practice field. Because he’s on the active/physically unable to perform list, Daniels can’t practice with his teammates. Daniels will have an MRI in Houston on Tuesday. He’ll travel to Birmingham, Ala., to meet with Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday. Andrews performed the surgery. Daniels is hoping to be cleared by the doctors to return to practice. The plan has been to have him ready for the first game against Indianapolis. — Houston Chronicle

Texans DE Mario Williams, who visited a sports hernia specialist in Philadelphia on Monday, has been cleared to play in the preseason opener at Arizona. He participated in about 30 minutes of practice on Tuesday morning. “If he keeps making progress, the plan is to play him about 10 plays,” coach Gary Kubiak said. Williams had been sidelined since the third practice because of inflammation in his hip that spread to his pelvis and groin area. “It’s not like we’re going to throw him into the fire,” Kubiak said. “It’s exactly what we had planned. We’ve got to be smart so we can get the best Mario’s got throughout the season.” — Houston Chronicle

Texans owner Bob McNair will meet with Roger Goodell in New York on Monday to try to persuade the NFL commissioner to reduce or overturn linebacker Brian Cushing’s four-game suspension. Cushing was suspended for the first four games this season because he violated the league’s policy against performance-enhancing drugs by testing positive for hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), a banned substance that can be used to mask steroids. A person with knowledge of Cushing’s situation said McNair will present new evidence to Goodell the owner hopes will shorten or eliminate the suspension that is costing the linebacker games against Indianapolis, Washington, Dallas and Oakland.
Goodell suspended Cushing and then rejected Cushing’s appeal in February. — Houston Chronicle

The Texans are close to signing Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson to a new contract that could make him the highest-paid player in the NFL at his position. Johnson has five years remaining on his current contract. He’s scheduled to make a base salary of $5.8 million this season. He said at the start of training camp last week that he wanted to be the highest-paid receiver in the league. Owner Bob McNair said he expected to have the deal wrapped up in two weeks, but it’s not going to take that long, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said Wednesday night. — Houston Chronicle

Texans kickers Kris Brown and Neil Rackers kicked six field goals each during practice Tuesday. Rackers made all six. Brown missed one. “I thought both of them were really good,” coach Gary Kubiak said. “I think that’s the way it’s going to be. I think it’s going to be nip and tuck the whole way. They’ll handle themselves well and kick well and make it tough on us to make a decision.” Brown felt good about the way he kicked. “I thought I hit the ball really well,” he said. “I felt that my focus was good. I think I hit most of my kicks solid. At this stage in the game of training camp, that’s what you’re looking for. You’re looking for consistent contact on the ball. “I got balls I pulled a little left, and I’m certainly not pleased anytime I miss a kick. But when you do, and you feel like you hit it well, and you focus early on your target, there really isn’t much you can do.” — Houston Chronicle

Texans DE Mario Williams, who has been sidelined because of a sore hip, spent most of Sunday’s practice on the sideline riding a stationary bike. “His hip is bothering him a little bit and has some swelling,” coach Gary Kubiak said. “We were able to get the swelling down the way we wanted this morning. It might be a couple of days before we are able to get it back under control. Then we could just go from there. It could be a few practices. “He had a problem with it in the past, and he’s always been able to work through it with his rehab. It just kind of swelled up on him. We’re going to get it right before we proceed forward. We’re taking a little bit more precaution more than anything.” — Houston Chronicle

Texans GM Rick Smith and vice president of football administration Chris Olsen continue to work on a deal that would satisfy Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson, who hired Houston agent Kennard McGuire to try to get him a new contract. In March 2007, Johnson signed an eight-year, $60 million contract with a $15 million signing bonus. He is supposed to make a base salary of $5.8 million this year. Johnson’s original contract with the Texans as their first-round pick in 2003 was for six years and $39 million, including a $12.5 million signing bonus. Johnson is coming off another outstanding season and has seen other receivers sign more lucrative deals. Johnson said during the organized team activities that he wouldn’t hold out during camp and try to force the Texans’ hand. The Texans have a policy under which they won’t negotiate with players under contract if they’re not present. — Houston Chronicle