Antonio Smith (ankle) returned to practice on Friday and is expected to play in Week 2.

Smith missed two days of practice this week, but head coach Gary Kubiak said that he could have practiced on Thursday the Texans had asked him to. The defensive captain had swelling in his ankle coming out of last Sunday's game against the Dolphins. Smith recorded a sack in that contest, but he's off the IDP radar.

Texans DE Antonio Smith will undergo an MRI after injuring his shoulder in Sunday's win over the Browns.

Smith was able to play through his injury for a few snaps, but was largely absent in the second half of a blowout. Smith's five sacks are tied for the Texans' team lead. His status should be updated at coach Gary Kubiak's Monday press conference.

Texans DE Antonio Smith has four sacks through four games.

Smith's previous career-high is 5 1/2, set back in 2007 with the Cardinals. He's shining on the inside of Wade Phillips' 3-4 scheme. "Besides being an athlete, he's an all-out player. He plays as hard as you can play every play, and that's the kind of player you want," Phillips said. The Texans' defense is becoming a viable every-week fantasy option.

The Texans will move Antonio Smith back to right defensive end in their new 3-4 defense.

No. 11 overall pick J.J. Watt will start at left end, a more traditional "five technique" position. Mario Williams is now an outside linebacker. Smith mostly has played left end over the past two seasons with the Texans, but enjoyed his breakout year at right end in 2009 with Arizona. An efficient pass rusher, Smith led the NFL with 19 quarterback hits last season.