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FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Rookie cornerback Chris Houston said he's ready to play more Sunday against the Texans if he's called upon.
Houston got extended action last week against the Panthers after starting right cornerback Lewis Sanders left the game with a mild concussion. Coaches were pleased with Houston's performance, solidifying depth at a position already in good shape with Sanders' 22 career starts (76 games played) and DeAngelo Hall's Pro Bowl status.
"He played 25 snaps and played pretty well," Head Coach Bobby Petrino said of Houston. "He gave up one long ball, but he was actually in pretty good position. I think he thought it was going to be a comeback route. He kind of slowed down a little bit and they made a nice play. He still has a lot to learn, but he did show improvement."
Doctors will continue to watch Sanders' condition. He said Thursday that he was "feeling good."
"Initially, when it happened I was just dizzy and my sight was a little blurry," said Sanders, who leads the team's cornerbacks with 15 tackles. "After a while I felt pretty good. But, it's the doctors' decision."
The team started working Houston into the games earlier in the season. The second-round pick out of Arkansas has been preparing to enter the game at a moment's notice but he admits a disadvantage when it comes to learning the NFL game through spot duty.
"It's hard because you have to get a feel for the wide receiver (and) get a feel for yourself," he said. "It's hard but, at the same time, you're learning when you go out there that you can play on this level."
Houston has two tackles on the season, but isn't making excuses because of his rookie status.
"I don't try to focus on being a rookie," Houston said. "I try to play like I've been here for two years already. They don't treat you like a rookie, especially Lawyer (Milloy). I don't have that mind frame at all. I might make little mistakes, but I still don't have that mind set.
"I know that anytime any one of those guys can go down and I'm up next. I just learn a lot and make the little mistakes in practice because practice is for practicing. So we get it corrected and then I'm good in the game."