Dylan Horton is back at practice for the Houston Texans.
Horton, a fourth-round pick out of TCU in 2023, was cleared to return to on-field drills for the first time after beating Stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The second-year defensive end started the season on the NFI list while in recovery,
Dylan Horton jogs back onto the practice field. #HTownMade pic.twitter.com/CBlxJQ1yeI
— Landry Locker (@LandryLocker) October 2, 2024
“For everything that he’s gone through, battling cancer, and to see him back on the field after almost an entire year of missing football, the way he handled it, the mindset with which he handled it, he attacked it with a smile,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Wednesday He attacked with a great attitude, every single day.
“That’s just proof to everyone, no matter what we’re going through — there are a lot of people battling cancer, battling things in life — attacking it with the right mindset, a positive attitude, really goes a long way. And Dylan represents that and we are all very thankful to have him back.”
A standout for the Horned Frogs en route to their national championship appearance, Horton was diagnosed with the disease on Dec. 1, 2023, and missed the rest of his rookie season. In 10 games, he had 13 tackles as a member of the defensive line rotation.
In March, Horton announced that he was in remission. He’s has been around the team since the beginning of training camp while working off to the side.
#Texans coach DeMeco Ryans on Dylan Horton @dhorton_98 inspirational return from Stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/mdi5QlV5Om
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 2, 2024
While Horton was cleared for practice, how he’ll find his way on the field remains a mystery. The Texans have four defensive ends splitting reps, including Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. Veteran defensive lineman Denico Autry will return after Week 6 following his six-game suspension.
The good news is that Houston won’t have to decide where Horton fits until the end of the month. The NFL grants all players a 21-day window before the team must elect to elevate them to the roster or revert them to the injured reserve.
The Texans take on the Buffalo Bills this Sunday at noon CT at NRG Stadium.