Steve Wyche takes a look back at the five wild rides we witnessed this summer as Ian Johnson, Lance Long, David Tyree, Boomer Grigsby, and Coy Wire fought for their NFL lives.

The first On the Fringe Player to be off the fringe, fullback Boomer Grisgby, checked in Friday from Las Vegas, where he is rehabilitating a high-ankle sprain that caused him to be waived-injured by Houston just more than a week ago. Grigsby reached an injury settlement this week with the Texans, which he described as “good.” He also received some encouraging news that Houston will consider re-signing him when he’s healthy.

“No guarantees,” Grigsby said about the Texans’ bringing him back.

According to rules of the settlement, Houston can re-sign him after six weeks of reaching the settlement, but Grigsby can sign with another team before then. The key for Grigsby is to get healthy. He was told the average recovery time from his type of injury was about 55 days. Grigsby plans to rehab in Vegas before heading to Arizona, where he lives in Scottsdale with Vikings defensive end Jared Allen, to continue his rehab.

Grigsby plans to keep us abreast of his progress in our ongoing series and with Grigsby, you can bet his reports will be entertaining.

– Steve Wyche

Fullback Boomer Grigsby doesn’t know if his run in the NFL is over after being waived-injured by the Texans on Tuesday. Much will be determined by how fast his high ankle sprain heals and what is the outcome of settlement talks with the Texans.

Grisgby has five days to reach a financial settlement with Houston, a settlement that could allow Houston to re-sign him when he is healthy. If no agreement is reached, the Texans will not have the ability to re-sign Grigsby after he has been medically cleared.

Grigsby said his injury could take six to eight weeks to heal, so he isn’t sure if there will be a job available once he is ready. However, he said he is motivated to get another shot because things were going so well with the Texans.

“This really lit a fire under me,” Grigsby said Tuesday afternoon, shortly after he was told he was waived. “I thought I was having my best camp ever.”

Grigsby was working as the No. 2 fullback behind Vonta Leach and was involved with nearly all specials teams unit. He said he was emotionally down because things were going so well. But he credited the Texans for handling his situation with class, claiming coach Gary Kubiak and GM Rick Smith were professional and straight with him about why he was being released.

The Texans signed FB Jonathan Evans to replace Grigsby.

– Steve Wyche

Some news has come out of Houston, as our man On The Fringe Boomer Grigsby is expected to be sidelined six weeks with a severe high ankle sprain.

The injury was suffered in the Texans’ 16-10 preseason win over the Chiefs at rainy Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday night.

With Grigsby out for a significant amount of time, rookie TE James Casey is going to see more playing time as a backup fullback.

Grigsby was one of three Texans who will miss significant time due to injuries suffered Saturday. Backup QB Rex Grossman is out four to five weeks, while rookie safety Troy Nolan will undergo surgery to repair a broken hand and could be placed on injured reserve. Full story …

Grigsby, who played sparingly Saturday night before leaving the game, was one of a number of Texans to suffer injuries against the Chiefs. Tight end Joel Dreessen (hyperextended knee), safety Troy Nolan (broken hand) and quarterback Rex Grossman (pulled hamstring) were also hurt.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak talked about the difficulties of playing in the heavy rain at Arrowhead Stadium, as well as the injuries suffered by his team.

“We paid a price (for the victory),” Kubiak said. “We have some guys really banged up, and that usually happens when you get out there in a mess like that. Hopefully, we will get back and get some of these guys on the field as quick as possible.

“It’s a very long list for a first time out. We’re going to have to get back and evaluate where we’re at.” Full story …

Another update from Texans FB Boomer Grigsby, who gives us a tour of his modest training camp accommodations.

Nobody said it was glamorous, but Grigsby is certainly not complaining about having his own room … with air conditioning.

In his latest update from Texans training camp, fullback Boomer Grigsby talks about rewarding his hard work with a George Strait concert at Reliant Stadium.

Grigsby says his goal is “to have more fun than every single person in the entire arena.”

Grigsby will get an opportunity to prove it on the field when the Texans take on his former team, the Kansas City Chiefs, on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET. A replay of the game can be seen on NFL Network on Sunday at 10 a.m. ET.

Our man On The Fringe Boomer Grigsby is a converted linebacker, but appeared natural catching passes on offense. Jordan Godwin of The Houston Chronicle writes:

On one play, former linebacker and current backup fullback Boomer Grigsby ran a quick route and jumped to catch a high pass from Dan Orlovsky. Several plays later, starting fullback Vonta Leach made an easier reception thrown by Rex Grossman. The Texans have yet to decide if they’ll carry both fullbacks, but Grigsby has proven his value so far.

Full story …

Boomer Grigsby goes through drills at Texans training camp. (David J. Phillip / Associated Press)

Watching veteran free agents like safety John Busing, fullback Boomer Grigsby and guard Adrian Jones reminds general manager Rick Smith of just how valuable Gardner and his staff are.“Those are guys that have a chance to make the club, and it’s Brian and his staff who should be complimented for it because they’re the ones who found them,” Smith said. “The coaches ask them to bring in guys who have a chance to make the team, and that’s what’s happened.”

Full story …