Untitled Page

Steve Slaton News & Rumors

Dolphins' Slaton could see extended playing time due to Daniel Thomas' injury
September 30
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"It has been an eventful couple of days for Miami Dolphins running back Steve Slaton, and it could get even busier by the end of the week. After being claimed by the Dolphins on Wednesday, Slaton is expected to see some playing time Sunday against the Chargers with rookie tailback Daniel Thomas nursing a hamstring injury. "I'm prepared to get reps," Slaton said. "I'm studying as hard as I can, and I just have to try to remember as much as I can for the first weekend." The possibility of Slaton seeing the field against San Diego grew more likely Friday as Thomas was held out of practice."
Dolphins uncertain about role for Slaton, concerned about Thomas' hamstring
September 30
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"The Miami Dolphins claimed Steve Slaton because they knew he was once a playmaker in the NFL, but this regime hasn't identified a role for the tailback the Houston Texans dumped earlier this week. Dolphins coach Tony Sparano joked he's only seen Slaton for two hours on Thursday, referring to Slaton's first practice with the team. Sparano said the team would use its upcoming bye week to evaluate how Slaton fits in. "I see a young player that has good upside and I think that's a good quality to have here at that position," Sparano said."
Miami Dolphins add Slaton to backup running back mix
September 29
Miami Herald
 
"For the second time in three weeks, the Dolphins signed a former 1,000-yard rusher who, regrettably, happens to be three years removed from his last good season. Unlike 32-year-old Larry Johnson — who was signed twice and then cut twice by Miami — new Dolphin Steve Slaton isn't past his prime, at 25. But Slaton, who was cut by Houston on Tuesday and claimed by the Dolphins off waivers on Wednesday, has not done much since a splendid 2008 rookie season when he ran for 1,282 yards, averaged 4.8 per carry and caught 50 passes for 377 yards. By all accounts, Slaton hasn't fully regained his form since neck surgery after the 2009 season. To make room on the roster, the Dolphins released"
Texans release Slaton, call up Ogbonnaya
September 28
Houston Chronicle
 
"Running back Chris Ogbonnaya took advantage of injuries to the four players in front of him on the depth chart to lead the Texans in preseason rushing. After being fifth on the depth chart at the start of training camp, Ogbonnaya got an opportunity when Arian Foster (hamstring), Derrick Ward (concussion), Ben Tate (hamstring) and Steve Slaton (hamstring) suffered injuries. Ogbonnaya carried 54 times for 192 yards and a touchdown in the preseason. He caught seven passes for 77 yards and a touchdown."
Slaton, Texans looking for cure
August 18
Houston Chronicle
 columnist Jerome Solomon
"Steve Slaton is ailing. The diagnosis is easy: fumbleitis. As is the case with the common cold, there might not be a cure for coughing up the football . Slaton could just get over it in time, or — and yes, this sounds a bit dramatic - it could end his career. (See Sammie Smith.) From the Texans coaches' thoughts that Slaton tends to run with a higher posture when he is tired, thereby increasing the likelihood of fumbles, to a local physician's speculation in an e-mail that Slaton might unknowingly have a decreased sense of proprioception and wearing gloves only exacerbates his problem, there are a host of theories on how Slaton came down with the disease and what can be done to cure him."
Texans' Slaton determined to overcome sophomore slump
August 1
Houston Chronicle
 
"After taking a handoff in Saturday's practice, Texans running back Steve Slaton headed left until he saw a throng of defenders collapsing on him. In an instant, Slaton changed direction and headed right, running across most of the field and exploding through a cornerback. The quick cuts that made Slaton so successful as a rookie are re-emerging on the field. The move not only signified Slaton is back in full form, but it also symbolized his contrasting first two seasons. Putting his successes and failures behind him, Slaton, 24, is fighting to prove he can be the starting running back again for the Texans. "That's what training camp is all about," Slaton said. "It's about coming out here"
Getting a grip
May 19
Houston Chronicle
 
"Steve Slaton lost five of his seven fumbles last year, and the Texans running back was asked Tuesday if the neck injury that caused him to miss the last five games of the 2009 season was to blame. Nodding, he replied, "If you can't feel your hand in there, you can't squeeze (the ball) as hard as you want to. I tried to downplay it, but it came to a point where I had to get surgery." The procedure was a cervical fusion, and Slaton, donning a red "no contact" jersey, said after a lengthy rehab session that all of the numbness is gone. He'll have another checkup on June 25, and if all is satisfactory, Slaton should be cleared for training camp. "You work so hard, and for things to fall apart"
Texans running back Slaton done for the year
December 9
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Texans have placed running back Steve Slaton on injured reserve, meaning he will not play again this season. Slaton has been experiencing numbness in his shoulder and thumb and was kept out of Sunday's 23-18 loss at Jacksonville. He visited Dr. Drew Dossett, a Dallas specialist in nerve damage and spinal injuries. Dossett's clients include players from the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers. The Texans (5-7) have three running backs on the active roster: Chris Brown, Ryan Moats and Arian Foster. They also have Chris Henry on the practice squad."
Schaub may play; Slaton sees specialist
December 8
Houston Chronicle
 
"The coaches are hoping quarterback Matt Schaub can play against Seattle, but they want to see how he practices on Wednesday and Thursday. He played in the 23-18 loss at Jacksonville after suffering a dislocated left shoulder. "He basically has the same injury he had against Tennessee in 2007," coach Gary Kubiak said about the injury that required surgery after the season. "It popped out, popped back in, and he was able to play. "I think he's got a good chance of playing. He's not feeling any worse today than he did yesterday as he finished the game." Running back Steve Slaton, who was inactive for the Jacksonville game, is seeing Dr. Drew Dossett, a spine specialist whose clients include"
Slaton may miss game with numb right thumb
December 5
Houston Chronicle
 
"Numbness in his right thumb, caused by unspecified nerve issues in his neck and shoulder, could keep running back Steve Slaton out of the Texans' crucial game with Jacksonville on Sunday. And rookie defensive back Glover Quin, a key reserve in the secondary, is a definite scratch because of the head injury he suffered against the Indianapolis Colts. But there's good news, too. It appears left tackle Duane Brown has bounced back sufficiently from the knee sprain he suffered on the next-to-last play of the Colts game and will be able to keep his starting streak intact. Although Slaton has been bothered by the numbness for several weeks, coach Gary Kubiak said the condition had worsened in"
Texans' Slaton expected to miss game with arm numbness
December 4
Houston Chronicle
 
"Texans running back Steve Slaton is expected to miss Sunday's game against Jacksonville because of numbness in his arms. The numbness is a result of a previously undisclosed shoulder injury. Coach Gary Kubiak did not completely rule out Slaton, but the fact he did not practice Friday makes it unlikely he will play. "It's something he has been dealing with for awhile but it's gotten worse in the last 24 hours," Kubiak said."
Kubiak hasn't been distinguishing self during crunch time
November 28
Houston Chronicle
 
"Coaching scared might get Gary Kubiak fired faster than Steve Slaton's fumbling. When you don't do what you normally do — especially when what you normally do has worked every time — something is odd. If it ain't broke, don't break it. When Matt Schaub crawled to his right to center the ball in the final seconds against the Titans on Monday night, most were stunned. That's not how any coach with sense plays that. Not from that far out. Field goals from 49 yards aren't gimmies. Not to mention that earlier this month, Kubiak said his kicker doesn't need the ball centered because "he's pretty good from everywhere." Of course, the field goal flew wide left, and the Texans fell to 5-5, putting"
Slaton, Brown to split time at RB
November 28
Houston Chronicle
 
"The NFL has fined defensive end Antonio Smith and linebacker Brian Cushing for their actions during Monday's 20-17 loss to Tennessee. Smith was fined $10,000 for elbowing Titans center Kevin Mawae. Smith was penalized 15 yards for unnecessary roughness at the end of the pass play. Cushing was fined $5,000 for hitting quarterback Vince Young out of bounds. He was penalized 15 yards as well. The league said Cushing was fined for unnecessary roughness for striking an opponent late and out of bounds on a run play. Medical update Defensive tackle Amobi Okoye was the only player to miss practice Friday. He's got the flu but is expected to play against the Colts."
Texans RB Slaton gets starting nod vs. Titans
November 22
Houston Chronicle
 
"Running back Steve Slaton will be back in the starting lineup Monday night when the Texans host the Tenn Titans. Slaton found out today he would start after having a good week of practices. Ryan Moats started the 20-17 loss to Indianapolis on Nov. 8 because Slaton had lost five fumbles."
Moats to replace Slaton in Texans' starting lineup
November 8
Houston Chronicle
 
"Ryan Moats will replace Steve Slaton as the starting running back for the Texans Sunday when they play Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium. Coach Gary Kubiak said Friday he would make the decision Sunday, and he's moved Moats into the starting lineup for the first time. The Texans are 5-3 and trying to win at Indianapolis for the first time in team history. Moats came off the bench at Buffalo and carried 23 times for 126 yards and three touchdowns. The three rushing touchdowns set a team record. Slaton has been benched because he's lost five fumbles in the first eight games. He's fumbled eight times overall. Kubiak said Slaton and Chris Brown will play. More than likely, Slaton will play in"
Kubiak in no rush to name starter at running back
November 3
Houston Chronicle
 
"Texans coach Gary Kubiak didn't disclose Monday who will start at running back against Indianapolis but said Steve Slaton, Ryan Moats and Chris Brown will see action. "I'm going to play them all," he said. "I'm in no hurry to make that decision, but, obviously, we're going to need all three of them. We'll make a decision when we get to Indianapolis." Slaton has been the starter but was benched Sunday after losing his fifth fumble of the season at Buffalo. Moats played for the second time this season and finished with 23 carries for 126 yards and a team-record three TDs. The starter must be able to block and catch as well as run. "Protecting Matt (Schaub) is a huge priority," Kubiak said."
No excuses for defense
October 27
Houston Chronicle
 
"Steve Slaton has lost four fumbles in seven games, but he's scored five touchdowns. He's too valuable to the running and passing games to spend much time on the bench being penalized for losing the ball. "It's a concern when you put it on the ground as much as he has," coach Gary Kubiak said. "It's a concern to him. I believe in Steve, and our team believes in him and trusts that to be successful and accomplish some of the things we want to accomplish as a team, we need Steve making those plays. "We've got to stand behind him. To me, it's up to all of us to help him get over this issue — me, (running backs coach) Chick (Harris), everybody on the staff, the whole team helping him in"
Slaton due for a long run
September 26
Houston Chronicle
 
"Steve Slaton is not fat. He is not slow and he has not forgotten how to run with a football. Seriously. He is just a run or two away — long runs that is — from being what he was a year ago — one of the most exciting players in the NFL. A couple of bad days on the football field and the second-year Texans running back is facing doubts like he never has before. Well, except for that time they doubted him in college. And when they doubted him in high school. Slaton says he will deal with the questions just as he did before. He'll run through them. "There is always going to be speculation and talk about (the cause of the) problems when things aren't going the way you want them to go," Slaton"
Texans' big three contained
September 14
Houston Chronicle
 
"The first time Steve Slaton butted helmets with a Rex Ryan-coached defense in Reliant Stadium, he couldn't help but walk — or stagger — off the field impressed. Last season, when Slaton was en route to becoming the NFL's rookie rushing champion and Ryan was still coordinating the fearsome Baltimore defense, Slaton's four carries on the day produced a scant 7 yards in a 41-13 Ravens rout. Not much has changed with Ryan having taken over as the Jets' head coach. Slaton's first six carries Sunday netted just a single yard, and New York left town with a 24-7 victory. So make that Ryan 65, Texans 20. Regarding Buddy Ryan's son having once been quoted as saying, "Trust me, I'll stop your run."