AP

It’s a day of many happy returns for the Texans.

The team is welcoming three veterans back to practice after absences of varying degrees during camp this year. The longest of those absences belongs to linebacker Brian Cushing, who has been on the PUP list since the start of camp because of the broken leg and torn knee ligament that ended his 2013 season after just seven games. He’s been insistent about being ready for the start of the regular season and Wednesday’s move off the PUP list is a necessary step toward making that happen.

Running back Arian Foster and wide receiver Andre Johnson haven’t missed nearly as much time as Cushing, but both men have been held out of practice for the last two weeks. Foster’s injury wasn’t disclosed, although the consensus belief around the team is that he was bothered by a hamstring injury. Johnson definitely had a hamstring issue, but it seems that both men have made the progress needed to resume their work.

There’s been no comment about the status of any of the trio for Saturday’s second preseason game, but it’s probably a long shot that Cushing could find his way into a game so soon after getting on the field for the first time in almost a year.