Kurt Hinish might not play Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, but the Houston Texans could make him active if they feel he’s ready to contribute.
The veteran defensive tackle returned to practice after being placed on the injured reserve to begin the 2024 season. Houston now has a 21-day window to either activate Hinish or send him back to the IR.
Undrafted out of Notre Dame in 2022, Hinish recorded 22, two tackles for loss and a sack in 2023 as a rotational piece on the defensive line. Since joining the Texans, he’s totaled 45 tackles, eight tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in 32 games.
Texans Designate DL Dylan Horton & Kurt Hinish To Return https://t.co/tAhg8lF1YW
— NFLTradeRumors.co (@nfltrade_rumors) October 2, 2024
Fellow defensive lineman Dylan Horton was cleared to return to practice after beating Stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma in March. The second-year standout from TCU began the year on the NFI will in remission.
“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.
The #Texans have opened the practice window for defensive tackle Kurt Hinish. He started the season on injured reserve and was designated for return.
— Cody Stoots (@Cody_Stoots) October 2, 2024
“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’re all very thankful to have him back.”
The pair of 3-1 AFC contenders will do battle Sunday at noon at NRG Stadium.