Texans WR Shorts hoping to play against his former team

Sep 20, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Cecil Shorts (18) with the ball in the fourth quarter. The Panthers defeated the Texans 24-17 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

With the Texans set to travel to Jacksonville to face the Jaguars on Sunday, Houston wide receiver Cecil Shorts is hoping to be healthy enough to face his former team.

Shorts, who dislocated his left shoulder on the final play of Houston's loss to Atlanta on Oct. 4, said Monday he's ahead of schedule in his recovery, but whether he's cleared to play this week remains to be seen.

The five-year veteran spent the first four seasons of his career with the Jaguars after being drafted by the team in the fourth round in 2011.

Shorts said while he'd enjoy the chance to play against his former team, he's more focused on getting back to help the Texans turn around a 1-4 start to the season.

"Every game is important," Shorts said, per the Houston Chronicle. "It would be fun to play against them, but every game is important. We want to get this thing rolling and win as many games as we can."

The 27-year old appeared in 13 games for the Jaguars last season, catching 53 passes for 557 yards and one touchdown.

He signed a two-year, $6 million deal with the Texans in free agency.

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