HOUSTON -- Houston Texans running back Chris Brown returned to practice Monday after sitting out last week with a sore back.

AP

Chris Brown catches a pass at training camp.

The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Brown, who signed with Houston as a free agent in March, is expected to back up Ahman Green this season. Brown rushed for 462 yards and five touchdowns last year for Tennessee and missed four games with injuries.

Brown took a painkilling injection last week and said his back felt fine after Monday's workout.

"Everything held up great," Brown said. "Hopefully, I can just build on that."

When Brown got hurt, the Texans signed Mike Bell, who was cut by Denver. Bell sat out Texans' practice on Monday with a sore hamstring.

Houston coach Gary Kubiak watched Brown closely Monday and cut his schedule short by six plays as a precaution.

"I think we got through clean," Kubiak said. "We'll see how he reacts."

The Texans have been practicing outdoors in the mornings and inside in the afternoons since training camp began. Kubiak said he would probably hold Brown out of practices on the artificial turf, but he was hoping Brown would be ready to play in Saturday's preseason opener against Denver.

Brown took about 15 snaps on Monday and got the contact he wanted to test his back.

"You don't know until you start taking hits how it's really going to react," he said. "No issues, no flare-up. It didn't bother me at all." Brown was eager to see how his back felt Tuesday.

"Hopefully, I'll have no more problems from here on out," Brown said. "That'll probably be the biggest thing, when I wake up tomorrow morning. Hopefully, it won't be stiff and I'll be all right."

Houston averaged 99 rushing yards per game last season, 22nd in the league. Green missed all but six games with a knee injury, but he's healthy again.

For now, Brown said he's content with a reserve role. "As long as we're winning, everybody's going to be happy with whatever role they have," Brown said. "I've played in running-back-by-committee roles before. Whoever gets hot, that's who it's going to be."

Notes:@ The Texans have signed cornerback Dexter Wynn who was returning punts at the start of the afternoon practice. Jimmy Williams was put on injured reserved with a knee injury. WR Andre Johnson skipped the morning practice after suffering a minor groin injury on Saturday. "We're very fortunate with Andre," Kubiak said. "But we're going to take the cautious approach." Kubiak said he would decide later in the week whether to play Johnson on Saturday. ... LB DeMeco Ryans sat out Monday's practice for rest. Kevin Bentley took over at middle linebacker for the workout. He used a helmet with a radio transmitter and relayedthe plays called in by linebackers coach Johnny Holland.