Andre Johnson Injury: Which Texans Need to Step Up Most in Week 5?

Regardless of how serious the extent of WR Andre Johnson's injury is, other skill players for the Houston Texans really need to step up.

After Week 4, Johnson has compiled 352 yards on 25 catches and has scored two TDs.

The next best receiving target for QB Matt Schaub has been TE Owen Daniels, who has 14 receptions for 182 yards and scored three TDs.

Both Johnson and Daniels have been targeted a combined 60 times (37 AJ, 23 OD), and the next most targeted receiver is FB James Casey (11 targets, nine catches, 163 yards, one TD).

Not saying that Casey is a reliable target, but it sure proves that the other targets need to step up if the Texans are going to continue rolling in 2011.

Kevin Walter has been underperforming when in the game, but has only played in three of four games and didn't record any numbers against Pittsburgh, so really he's contributed in two of the four.

In addition, Walter has only compiled 49 yards on four catches with one TD, and that TD came on a wacky tipped ball versus New Orleans that went for 20 yards.

So in the realm of normality, Walter has three catches for 29 yards.

The next target who could be of use is Jacoby Jones, as he has proven to step up big before, such as in Weeks 1 and 2 where he combined for 91 yards on six receptions.

Obviously those numbers aren't mesmerizing, but still productive nonetheless.

The only problem, however, is that in Weeks 3 and 4 Jones had only one catch for zero yards.

Now we know TE Owen Daniels is going to keep performing as well as RB Arian Foster, provided he can stay healthy.

That all being said, whether Johnson is out, or even if he plays, a secondary wide-out must step up, otherwise the Texans' offense is going to abruptly slow down.

Defenses will start putting eight in the box to isolate Foster, and then they'll put a nickel/dime back and LB on Daniels, while they double Johnson with a CB in man coverage who has safety help over the top.

Therefore, forcing Walter and/or Jones to beat their coverage in a one-on-one situation.

And if they do not, Johnson won't be as big of a threat in stretching the field, Daniels won't get open underneath, and the running game will suffer.

Matt Schaub can have all day to throw, but at some point the offensive line will break down, and when that happens the Texans' offense slows down.

However, if Walter and/or Jones prove to best their one-on-one coverage, that will force defenses to play more zone across, blitz less, and in turn, Houston's offense gets back on track to being multidimensional.

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report.

And you can follow him on Twitter @ Sportswriter27.