HOUSTON — The Houston Texans have one of the best receivers in the league in Andre Johnson and also return starter Kevin Walter.
Even so, the Texans are looking for another receiving threat, and coach Gary Kubiak is hoping one of his young receivers will use this camp to prove he can fill that role.
"I think it's huge," Kubiak said of finding a third wideout. "I think our whole team is kind of watching it too, because they know our identity is going to change at that position for the first time in a while around here. Players sense that, they really watch those battles closely. We'll let them prove to their teammates that they're the guy."
Houston cut No. 3 receiver Jacoby Jones in the offseason. But there's a bevy of new talent vying to replace him, including rookies DeVier Posey and Keshawn Martin, and second-year player Lestar Jean.
Jean is working with the first team while Johnson nurses a strained his groin that will likely keep him out about a week.
The team doesn't believe Johnson's most recent setback is serious, but the Texans know the importance of developing depth at receiver after the 31-year-old missed a career-high 11 games last season because of hamstring injuries.
"It's going to be interesting because now we're in a situation where Andre is going to miss time, so we bumped them all up," Kubiak said. "We kind of move them around each day. There's a lot of young ability and ... I think they all have the ability to make this team, so we're going to have to see how they hold up and who makes the plays."
Though Jean is in his second season in the NFL, he's never caught a pass in a regular-season game after injuring his shoulder last preseason and spending last year on the injured reserve.
"I love his size. I like big guys in the league. I think it is an advantage," Kubiak said of the 6-foot-3, 205-pound player. "He's very smart. He can play a lot of places. It's a unique situation because he hasn't played, but he's still sitting here operating as a starter."
Jean, who played at Florida Atlantic, feels "honored" to be working with the starters, but knows he has to keep improving if he wants to hold onto that spot.
"I've got to work," he said. "My chance is like everybody else. We're all going to get opportunities and I have to take advantage of mine."
The Texans also have been impressed with Posey, a third-round pick out of Ohio State. Posey had 53 receptions for 848 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior, but was suspended by the NCAA for 10 games last season for taking improper benefits.
Posey believes he has something to prove after not getting a chance to play much in his last college season.
"I definitely come out with a chip on my shoulder every day," he said. "But that's in the past and they always say to have a short memory and that's what I'm trying to have."
Posey would certainly love to become another weapon on Houston's already potent offense. But for now he's trying not to be overly concerned about the big picture.
"For me, I'm just trying to take small steps, do my little work after practice and get better every day," he said. "As long as I keep working on those things and just be the best player that I can be, hopefully when my time has come, hopefully I'm ready."
Houston added Martin in the fourth round of this year's draft. At 5-11, he's the shortest of the three young receivers, but he is probably the most versatile. He left Michigan State second in school history in punt return yards with 659, eighth in kick return yards with 1,100, 16th in yards receiving with 1,714 and 10th in all-purpose yards in his career with 4,013.
He was second on the team last season with 66 receptions for 777 yards.
Quarterback Matt Schaub has enjoyed watching the development of his young receivers.
"They're all doing such a good job," Schaub said. "There are so many things that each one of them bring."
NOTES: The Texans signed DE Mitch King on Monday. ... LB Darryl Sharpton has a hip injury that is expected to keep him out for a few weeks. Kubiak hopes he will be healthy in time for the start of the season.