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Houston, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - As if things weren't bad enough for the 2-7 Houston Texans, the club revealed on Thursday that punter Shane Lechler has been hospitalized due to the flu.

Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said Lechler has been out of commission for the past several days, but expects him to be released from the hospital on Friday.

If Lechler is unable to perform in Sunday's game against Oakland, Kubiak tabbed Randy Bullock as the substitute.

This season, Lechler has averaged 48.7 yards per punt.

The Texans signed the seven-time Pro Bowl punter back in late March, after he spent the first 13 seasons of his career with the Raiders.