HOUSTON -- Matt Schaub will start at quarterback on Sunday for Houston against Denver and interim coach Wade Phillips expects him to receive a better reception than he did the last time he played at Reliant Stadium. Schaub will start for an injured Case Keenum and try to help the Texans end a 12-game skid. Schaubs last action in Houston came when he took over late in a game against Oakland on Nov. 17 as Keenum was struggling. The home crowd booed him so loudly when he entered the game that the offence was forced to use a silent count. "Im not worried about that because I know a majority of our fans are with us no matter what and theyve stuck through no matter what," Phillips said. "We appreciate them. This is our last home game, so we need a lot of support and I think well get it." Schaub, who was benched after six games, will start for the first time since Oct. 13. Keenum has an injury to a ligament in his right thumb and was unable to grip the football on Tuesday. Phillips said he will wear a splint this week and he isnt sure of his status past Sunday. Keenum fell on his thumb and injured it on the last of his four sacks in this weekends loss to the Colts. Schaub last played in the second half at Jacksonville on Dec. 5 and moved the ball well before throwing an interception on what could have been the go-ahead drive in a 27-20 loss. "Hes a consummate professional," Phillips said. "We know Matt. We know hell work hard at what he does and hes going to give us his best effort. And were going to support him." Also on Wednesday, Phillips announced that running back Ben Tate will be placed on the injured reserve after another injury to his ribs. Tate has been playing with four broken ribs since October, but hasnt missed a game. Phillips marveled at the toughness Tate has shown in playing through the injury. "A cracked rib is a problem, but its not something that that it could be too serious as far as his overall health," Phillips said. "But once you get it multiple times, I think youve got to shut him down." Already without Arian Foster, the team signed Jonathan Grimes to take Tates roster spot and add depth at running back. Undrafted rookie Dennis Johnson, who was signed in late October, will start on Sunday. Johnson has appeared in seven games this season with 37 carries for 154 yards. There was a bit of good news for the Texans on Wednesday as Phillips said the injuries to defensive end Antonio Smith (knee) and cornerback Johnathan Joseph (groin) werent serious and they are expected to return to practice Thursday. Fernandinho Jersey . Sources tell TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger that the team is quietly gauging interest on the Senators captain, though Spezza has a limited no-trade clause and carries a large contract. Thiago Silva Jersey .com) - The Oakland Athletics needed to rely on a lot of young pitchers to win an American League West title this season. http://www.soccerbrazilonline.com/Taison-Copa-America-Jersey/ . Its the second time this season that Milan has been sanctioned by the league judge, after fans also subjected Napoli supporters to discriminatory chants. The ban will come into effect for Milans next match, against Udinese on Oct. Cassio Jersey .ca NHL Power Rankings, ahead of the Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues and Anaheim Ducks. Moving up, from 10 to seven this week, the Pittsburgh Penguins have won seven straight despite a depleted lineup. Danilo Brazil Jersey . The NFL says Wednesday that the game between the Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions at Wembley on Oct. 26 will start at 1:30 p.(SportsNetwork.com) - The Memphis Grizzlies will try to close out a four-game homestand on a high note when they entertain the Charlotte Hornets Friday night at FedExForum. The Grizzlies are 10-1 at home and defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 114-105, on Tuesday thanks to Marc Gasols 30 points and 12-of-13 free throws. Gasol had just two points in a win over Miami last Sunday. He played great Sunday. He didnt have the big scoring numbers but he helped us in the game in other areas, Grizzlies guard Courtney Lee said. Thats Marc. One day he might lead the team in scoring. One day he might lead the team in assists. We always expect Marc to come back and play at a high level. Gasol has four 30-point games this season. Mike Conley scored 22 points and Zach Randolph contributed 17 and 13 rebounds for the Grizzlies, who are 2-1 on the homestand and have won seven of nine games. After the Mavericks cut Memphis lead to 101-99, the Grizzlies responded with a 13-6 burst. Memphis had only five turnovers and scored 25 points on 16 Dallas miscues. The Grizzlies shot 48.2 percent from the floor, outscored the Mavs, 36-17, in the third quarter and recorded a 52-26 advantage in the paint. Dallas entered the game as the leagues highest-scoring team and made 18-of-40 3-pointers. The Grizzlies are first in opponents scoringg at 94.dddddddddddd0 points per game and 14-1 when outshooting the opposition. They have a 5-2 mark (3-0 at home) against teams from the Eastern Conference. Charlotte has won two in a row after a lengthy 10-game slide and looks to halt a four-game road losing streak Friday. The Hornets handed the Boston Celtics a 96-87 setback on Wednesday and were led by Al Jeffersons 23 points and 14 rebounds. Kemba Walker and Lance Stephenson scored 18 and 13 points, respectively, for Charlotte, which outscored the Celtics, 56-42, in the second half. That was a good win for us, Hornets coach Steve Clifford said. Al came up big in the fourth. Charlotte has committed seven turnovers or less in six of the last 10 games and is committing the fewest turnovers in the league (11.3). The Hornets got starting forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist back after he missed the last 12 games with a foot injury. He had nine points and six boards in just over 19 minutes of action. Cliffords squad is just 1-8 on the road, but has been playing well of late. Memphis edged Charlotte, 71-69, on Nov. 1 at The Hive and Gasol converted a go-ahead three-point play in the final minute of regulation. Gasol had 22 points and Jefferson countered with 19 for the Hornets. Memphis and Charlotte split two meetings last season. ' ' '