by By JOHN McCLAIN, Houston Chronicle , The Houston Chronicle

Daniels, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in Sunday's 31-10 victory at Buffalo, will undergo season-ending surgery once the swelling subsides in about two weeks.

"It's a big blow to our team," coach Gary Kubiak said about Daniels. "I just feel bad for him. He was having a tremendous season, and we're going to miss him big time.

"But he'll get well, and he'll be back better than ever."

If everything goes according to plan and Daniels takes eight months to recover, he'll be ready for training camp.

Casey, who moved into the backup role behind Joel Dreessen after Daniels was injured and caught the first two passes of his career, underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair meniscus damage in his knee.

Casey is hoping to return for the Monday night game against Tennessee on Nov. 23.

"We're hoping for a three-week turnaround," Kubiak said. "We've got this game against the Colts and then our bye week before we play the Titans.

"I was impressed with James (at Buffalo). He played 42 plays in the game, and he was hurting... It makes me feel even better about getting him back in three weeks because what he did tells me about his physical toughness."

Hurt knee in practice

Casey had been practicing and playing with a sore knee that got worse, but he didn't want to give up his playing time.

"I think I tweaked it in practice, and it was really affecting me," Casey said. "Adrenaline does amazing things sometimes.

"This is my fourth scope, so I know what it takes to rehab and what it takes to come back. I already started rehabbing today after the surgery.

"I'll be back stronger than ever. I feel terrible about what happened to O.D. because he's a great player, but others have to step up. I want to be out there so bad, and I want to be one of those that step up."

Unless the Texans sign and activate a free-agent tight end this week, they'll play the Colts with Dreessen as the starter and rookie Anthony Hill, a fourth-round pick who has been inactive for every game, as the only available players at their position.

In all likelihood, Kubiak and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan will have to play few, if any, multiple tight-end formations and stick with multiple wide-receiver formations.

"We've got to get even more flexible now," Kubiak said. "However we need to move the ball; that's what we have to look at.

Flexible asset

"Joel will play well. He's very flexible. He can play on the line of scrimmage (as a blocker) or as a receiver. It's a big opportunity for him. We've got to use him the right way, and he's got to step up.

"He does a little bit of everything. He's our deep snapper, so we've got some more adjustments to do as an offensive coaching staff."

The Texans could sign another snapper. They don't want Dreessen to get injured in that role. They also could sign a free-agent tight end.

Hill, 6-6, 269, is a better blocker than receiver.

"We've been impressed with his work," Kubiak said. "He's a physical player. Is he ready to go? I don't know. We'll see, but it's time for him to go. This is a tough spot for him to get started, but that's part of the game. That's what we drafted him for."

More backup players could get opportunities to play because of injuries. Safety Dominique Barber (ankle), outside linebacker Xavier Adibi (ankle) and defensive tackle DelJuan Robinson (knee) are day-to-day, which means they might not be available for the Indianapolis game.

john.mcclain@chron.com

Comparing Texans running backs Steve Slaton and Ryan Moats (Related story, Page C3):

Slaton

2008: 1,282 yards rushing, 377 yards receiving, 10 TDs.

2009: 110 carries for 342 yards; 29 catches for 314 yards; five TDs, five lost fumbles.

Strengths (vs. Moats): Good receiver, more polished blocker.

Moats

2008: 94 yards rushing, 14 yards receiving, TD.

2009: 38 carries for 182 yards; two catches for 25 yards; three TDs; 0 lost fumbles.

Strengths (vs. Slaton): Smaller and quicker, he hits the holes faster.

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