Handpflege » rusher.RECEIVING THREATS: Sterling Shepard, one of the

HOUSTON -- Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller said he plans to play Sunday against the Detroit Lions despite his bruised shoulder.Even if he plays, Miller said he is not sure how many carries he will get in the game.Miller was limited Monday night in a loss to the Denver Broncos after he injured his shoulder on a first-quarter rush. Miller said he was just trying to brace himself after a 25-yard run, but he got hit on his shoulder. He said he had the same injury two years ago.My shoulder felt kind of numb, Miller said.Miller said it just became an issue of pain management throughout the rest of the game. His MRI came back negative and he said all his ligaments are intact. Miller played just 44 percent of the Texans offensive snaps; fellow back Alfred Blue played 51.Miller was a limited participant in practice on Thursday. He said he has felt better every morning as the week has progressed.In seven games this season, Miller has run for 581 yards and a touchdown on 136 carries. He also has 20 catches for 117 yards and a touchdown.The Texans running game has improved as the offensive line has become healthier, and as Miller has grown more comfortable in Houstons offense. The Texans are now tied for the 11th-best rushing offense per game in the league.I give the guy a lot of credit, head coach Bill OBrien said. Hes a tough guy. Hes a pro football player. He really came back and kept wanting to play [on Monday night], and I think thats good. Corey Seager Dodgers Jersey . It was the kind of score that might make everyone else wonder which course he was playing. Except that Graeme McDowell saw the whole thing. Crouched behind the 10th green at Sheshan International, McDowell looked over at the powerful American and said, "Ive probably seen 18 of the best drives Ive seen all year in the last two days. Babe Herman Jersey . LOUIS -- Mike Smith is used to facing plenty of shots, so this was nothing new. http://www.dodgerssale.com/dodgers-joc-pederson-jersey/ . Louis Blues. Shane Hnidy joins Brian Munz for the broadcast on TSN 1290 Radio at 7pm ct. Julio Urias Jersey . Ryan Garbutt had a goal and two assists as Dallas snapped a six-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. Kenta Maeda Jersey .C. -- Charlotte Bobcats coach Steve Clifford said after all of these years in the NBA hes still amazed at some of the things LeBron James does. Oklahoma will learn quickly whether it has what it takes to return to the College Football Playoff.The Sooners made a surprising run to win the Big 12 title last season before losing to Clemson in the national semifinals. Now, with much of the key talent returning from that 11-2 squad, Oklahoma is poised to finish the job.The Sooners will be tested immediately when they open with Houston at Reliant Stadium on Sept. 3. Two weeks later, they will host Ohio State in one of the seasons biggest games.Theres two of the teams in the top 12-13 in the country, and deservedly so, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said of Houston and Ohio State. Excellent football teams.In conference play, the Sooners will play at TCU on Oct. 1, then will play Texas in Dallas the following week. If the Sooners can get past the second weekend of October unscathed, theyll be in position to have some margin for error if they fall later in the season.Our season, the front part of it is very loaded up, quarterback Baker Mayfield said. We have been preparing to be ready for the season at the very beginning. We cant have any rust to knock off. We have to go in ready to play, and thats how were treating camp right now.Here are some things to watch for this season.HEISMAN HYPE: Mayfield, one of the nations most exciting and innovative players, finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy balloting last season after passing for 3,700 yards and 36 touchdowns.He is still striving for improvement.My work ethic has been the same, if not even harder, he said. Ive been pushing myself and I need those guys to see that, because if they were to see me taking a day off or just saying, `Oh, Ive got it figured out, that wouldnt be good for the program. So Ive been working hard and thats how I expect the other guys tto do it, too.ddddddddddddREPLACING STRIKER: Eric Striker was one of Oklahomas all-time leaders in sacks from the outside linebacker slot, but hes now in the NFL. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, a 6-foot-2, 245-pound redshirt junior, is in line to fill the void.He is getting his opportunity, defensive coordinator Mike Stoops said. Hes played in certain situations the last two years. Hes very fast and explosive. Great rusher.RECEIVING THREATS: Sterling Shepard, one of the schools top three all-time receivers in most categories, has gone to the NFL.Dede Westbrook, last years No. 2 receiver, had 46 catches for 743 yards last season. Mark Andrews, an All-Big 12 selection last season, had 19 grabs, but seven touchdowns. They are the most likely players to receive an uptick in targets. Geno Lewis, a transfer from Penn State, should be a factor.JOE MIXON: The explosive running back burst onto the scene last season with 1,119 all-purpose yards last season. He was one of the conferences top all-around threats, and now that Shepard is gone, hell be expected to do more as a playmaker. Bob Stoops said Mixon could have a bigger role in the passing game.LINCOLN RILEY: The 32-year-old offensive coordinator was given a huge raise in the offseason for helping to make the Sooners one of the nations most productive and balanced offenses. Oklahoma struggled out of the gate last season as the team got used to his version of the Air Raid. Now, the Sooners are comfortable, and Riley has had time to tinker.SEASON OPENER: Sept. 3 vs. Houston at Reliant Stadium.PREDICTION: 12-0 regular season, Big 12 champion.---Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter (at)CliffBruntAP . ' ' '