Texans' Killings walks into practice, surprises teammates

HOUSTON -- Houston Texans defensive tackle Cedric Killings surprised his teammates by walking into practice Friday, just five days after fracturing a vertebra in his neck.

Killings wore a neck brace and had a black eye from the headfirst collision with Indianapolis receiver Roy Hall on Sunday, but couldn't keep a huge smile off his face.

As he walked in, someone yelled "Oh God," before players began clapping and screaming.

He had been discharged from the hospital about an hour before the emotional reunion with his battered team that has 11 players out for the season and four more missing with less serious injuries.

"We're making you our honorary captain this week and we're going to go down there and get a W," coach Gary Kubiak said to raucous applause as Killings made his way into the post-practice huddle.

The Texans travel to Atlanta on Sunday.

The 310-pound Killings fractured his C-4 vertebra and was unable to move any of his limbs for a time on the field Sunday, but has since made a remarkable recovery. Earlier in the week, his neurosurgeon Dr. Rob Parrish had said he was weak in his arms, but that has since improved markedly.

"I'm just really excited, very fortunate and blessed to be in this position right here and to be able to be here standing in front of you and talking," Killings said before his release from the hospital.

Fellow defensive lineman N.D. Kalu was stunned when he saw Killings.

"It was great," he said. "You can't really put it into words to justify what we felt out there. Just seeing him walk through there was a great feeling."

After Kubiak spoke to the team, Killings, who was accompanied by his wife and a sister, was met with hugs and high fives from players and coaches.

"We were worried about him after what he'd been through," Kubiak said. "We knew he was doing good, but it's nice for all his teammates to be able to see him walk in here with a smile on his face. There's a special bond between players, what they go through to play this game and to know that he's OK is a good feeling."

The 30-year-old Killings was cut by the Texans on Sept. 1, then re-signed two weeks later to add depth to the defensive line when Travis Johnson injured his ankle.