Steve Slaton’s 2009 season ended on injured reserve, and his offseason began with surgery to correct nerve issues in his neck.

But it appears the worst is over. Although the Texans haven’t made a formal announcement, Slaton indicated that he’s a full go for training camp.

“Thanks everyone for your thoughts but … I’m back,” Slaton tweeted this week. “Thank you Lord for watching over me and helping me heal fast and correctly.”

Before the running back was cleared for camp, Texans coach Gary Kubiak praised Slaton’s work during organized team activities and told reporters that he won’t hold him back from contact.

“He and (Arian) Foster have had probably been as good in the OTAs as any player we’ve had,” Kubiak said. “Everything from our standpoint we’re told should be OK, and just get him back and used to contact again will be the key for Steve. … If they cut him loose, we’ll go to work, because we need to get his confidence back about getting hit and stuff.”

So Slaton should be OK as he opens his camp competition against Foster and rookie Ben Tate. With Slaton injured, Foster ended 2009 as the Texans’ starting running back, and he has worked with the first-team offense throughout the offseason.

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