In all probability, running back Ben Tate has played his last game with the Texans.

Tate is in the last year of his contract, and he was placed on injured reserve Wednesday. He reinjured one of the four ribs he cracked against Kansas City.

Tate is expected to sign a lucrative contract with another team when free agency begins in March.

"We had it protected, certainly," interim coach Wade Phillips said about Tate's battered ribs. "Ben said had it been on the other side, he probably would have tried to shoot it up, (but now) I think it's time to make sure (to) worry about his health first.

"I've said all along I thought he was a really tough son of a gun. A lot of guys won't get shot up for anything. A cracked rib is a problem, but it's not something too serious as far as his overall health. But once you get it multiple times, I think you've got to shut him down."

Dennis Johnson will start against Denver on Sunday. Deji Karim moves into the backup spot. The Texans signed free agent Jonathan Grimes, who went to camp with them last year.

Tate closed the season with 181 carries for 771 yards and four touchdowns. He averaged 4.3 yards a carry. He followed Arian Foster to injured reserve. Foster had 121 carries for 542 yards and two touchdowns before a back injury at Kansas City ended his season.

Griffin may get another start

Rookie tight end Ryan Griffin may get his second start Sunday when the Texans host Denver.

Garrett Graham didn't practice Wednesday because of a hamstring injury that sidelined him for Sunday's 25-3 loss at Indianapolis. Graham might be a game-time decision again.

"Garrett's about the same as he was last week," interim coach Wade Phillips said. "We saw some progress early in the week, but he's similar as he was last week."

Pro Bowl tight end Owen Daniel, who suffered a fractured fibula at San Francisco, has been eligible to come off short-term injured reserve but hasn't been cleared by team doctors to return to practice.

"There's nothing new on Owen," Phillips said.

That leaves Griffin as the likely starter. A sixth-round pick, Griffin led the team with six catches for 62 yards against the Colts. He entered the game with five receptions for 67 yards this season.

Tight end Phillip Supernaw, a former Texan, was signed to the practice squad.

Johnson close to tying record

Receiver Andre Johnson needs one reception to give him a fifth 100-catch season, tying the NFL record set by Wes Welker

"I don't think you really realize it until you're probably finished playing and you look over your career and you just see some of the things that you accomplished as a player," Johnson said. "I think that's when you really realize it.

"I think as long as you're still playing, you don't really get caught up into it too much."

The secret to his success?

"Just working at my game and trying to get better every time I'm on the field," Johnson said. "It's working out for me. I'm doing something right. I've been able to play at a level for a long time. I'm going to keep doing it until I can't (do it any) more."

John McClain