Texans corner Kevin Johnson will be out a long time with concussion

New England Patriots wide receiver Phillip Dorsett (13) makes a catch near the goal line against Houston Texans cornerback Kevin Johnson (30) during the second quarter of an NFL football game at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. less New England Patriots wide receiver Phillip Dorsett (13) makes a catch near the goal line against Houston Texans cornerback Kevin Johnson (30) during the second quarter of an NFL football game at Gillette ... more Photo: Brett Coomer/Staff Photographer Photo: Brett Coomer/Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 111 Caption Close Texans corner Kevin Johnson will be out a long time with concussion 1 / 111 Back to Gallery

Texans starting cornerback Kevin Johnson will be out for a significant amount of time due to his second concussion of the year sustained Sunday.

Because Johnson has now had two concussions this season, the Texans will keep him out for at least several weeks. If his condition doesn't improve quickly enough, the Texans may consider placing Johnson on injured reserve and designating him for return in eight weeks.

Texans coach Bill O'Brien said the team will proceed cautiously with Johnson, who suffered another concussion during the preseason against the San Francisco 49ers and was cleared under the NFL concussion protocol Friday.

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"I think he will definitely miss a lot of time," O'Brien said. "I think he's doing better. Any time a guy has a concussion – two of them fairly close together – it's concerning. So, he'll be out for a while."

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The Texans have options at cornerback, including shifting safety Kareem Jackson back to his old position.

The Texans will also evaluate the free agent market. Because rookie safety Justin Reid and Jackson both had strong games against New England, they have some flexibility.

“That's why it’s good to have a guy like Kareem,” O’Brien said. “The issue there is that Kareem played well at safety. To move him over to corner, that’s not the easiest decision to make because he played a heck of a game at safety."

Former Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos cornerback Kayvon Webster is still rehabbing from a torn Achilles from last season and won't play against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

It may be a few more weeks before he's ready.

“I don’t see him coming back this week but I think he’s trending in the right direction and he will be a part of that rotation," O'Brien said.