Texans starting running back Lamar Miller was sidelined at practice Sunday morning, one day after appearing to mildly injure his ankle before getting retaped and finishing practice.

Miller attended practice, but was held out of drills along with outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney.

Texans coach Bill O'Brien characterized the inactivity to giving both players a rest rather than because of an injury. Clowney has been frequently injured in the past, but that isn't the case this time and he's been healthy throughout camp and off to an impressive start.

"Just a day off," O'Brien said. "Day off for both of those guys. Just trying to monitor how many reps they get and really just try to do that with a number of different guys. Different guys will get days off here and there and just try to monitor."

Signed to a four-year, $26 million contract in March as the replacement for Pro Bowl runner Arian Foster, Miller downplayed any talk of an injury Saturday.

"I'm good," Miller said. "I'm fine."

O'Brien has made it a practice to give veteran players days off throughout training camp.

Meanwhile, rookie wide receiver Braxton Miller didn't practice as he worked on the side with other injured players. The former Ohio State standout had an ice pack on his groin Saturday and is working his way back to full participation.

Texans rookie center Nick Martin was given a day off.

Texans defensive lineman Christian Covington remains under the NFL concussion testing protocol. Until Covington is cleared medically and passes a baseline neurological exam, he won't be allowed to practice under NFL rules.