Updated Monday, Aug. 31 @ 3:55 p.m. ET

It’s too early to hit the panic button about the Texans’ defense, the way we hear it, even after its miserable performance against New Orleans in the second preseason game and lingering questions about its ability to stop the run.

First, the bad news: After impressing with their energy in scrimmages vs. the Saints in the week leading up to their preseason matchup, the Texans were flat in a 38-14 loss at Reliant Stadium. New Orleans shredded the Houston defense for 420 yards in just 26:42, with reserve RB Mike Bell — a Texans backup for a brief time last season — racking up 100 yards on just 10 carries.

“We definitely got pushed around, and we’ve got to play a lot better than that up front to have a chance to be successful,” Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said after the game.

The Texans’ struggles vs. the Saints were an unpleasant reminder of last season, when they were 23rd in overall run defense and 24th in yards per carry surrendered. Their run defense will be challenged the first four games of the season; three of Houston’s first four opponents (the Jets, Titans and Raiders) finished in the top 10 in rushing a season ago and are again likely to feature potent running games with elements of power and speed. There’s widespread sentiment that the Texans are vulnerable along the interior defensive line. DT Amobi Okoye has not yet lived up to his first-round billing, and NT Travis Johnson, the club's No. 1 pick in 2005, struggled with injuries and didn't produce as the Texans had hoped before being shipped to the Chargers for a conditional sixth-round pick on Aug. 31. Also, the club’s emphasis on its defensive ends getting up the field in pass-rush situations could leave Houston occasionally vulnerable to outside runs.

So why be optimistic about the Texans’ defense? For starters, rookie SLB Brian Cushing, who was playing well before suffering a left knee sprain earlier in August, is expected back soon. He’ll give the run defense a lift. Also, defensive coordinator Frank Bush hasn’t exactly given opponents a variety of looks in the preseason. Expect more deception in the regular season, notes a source close to the club. Finally, rookie DE Connor Barwin has had an excellent preseason and looks like he could be a pass-rushing force right off the bat. So while the run-stopping worries persist, there are other reasons to believe the Texans can improve on "D."

Kickoff is coming! Be sure to buy copies of the Pro Football Weekly/Yahoo! Sports 2009 NFL preview magazine, as well as the Pro Football Weekly/Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football Guide 2009, both of which are now available at bookstores, newsstands and retail outlets where magazines are sold. Or order your copies online at PFWStore.com.