Andre Johnson

The Houston Texans have lost their last two games, but they could be getting back their best offensive player after a short Christmas break this weekend.

All-Pro wide receiver Andre Johnson has missed the last three games with a left hamstring injury. Johnson has eight more days to recover until the Texans face the Tennessee Titans in their regular-season finale on Jan. 1.

"I’m hoping (Johnson) is back out there this week," Texans coach Gary Kubiak said on Friday. "We’ll see what happens, but he’d be a nice addition to get back."

The Texans’ offense has been sorely lacking a deep threat with Johnson out of the lineup. In Week 14 against Atlanta, rookie quarterback T.J. Yates completed three passes of 20 yards to Johnson in three quarters before Johnson was injured.

In the three games since then, Yates has completed a total of seven passes of 20 yards, but only two have come on deep balls. The rest have been on screens and other short passes.

Johnson did not practice last week but was able to run with trainers on a side field.

"I have no hold on him," Kubiak said. "When they tell me he can go, he’s going. It’s been a process. They’ve been working with him off the field, trying to get him ready to turn him over to me and put him on the field. It’s my understanding that we’re real, real close. I’ll let you know. If it happens, it’ll be early next week."

Since Houston is locked into the third seed, it wouldn't be a shock to see Johnson play on a limited basis next Sunday, if at all. Fantasy owners shouldn't count on having him.