Tag: Daneille Hunter

Texans: DE Will Anderson Jr. ‘good to go’ vs. Colts

Will Anderson Jr. might have missed a month of practice, but the second-year defensive end is “good to go” for Sunday’s contest.

Will Anderson Jr. doesn’t need a medical report to confirm what he already knows. The Houston Texans’ second-year defensive end is back at practice for the first time in over a month.

He’s back for Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts, too.

“Of course, of course, of course,” Anderson assured reporters when asked if he planned to play at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Anderson, who had been dealing with an ankle injury, was a full participant in practice. His name didn’t appear on the injury report, meaning he’s medically cleared to go full speed through drills.

As a roster, only defensive back M.J. Stewart remains absent from practice in any capacity. It’s a sign that Houston should be about at 99.9 percent full strength when the team takes on their AFC South foe.

“Excited about all our guys out there available working,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Excited about the work that we put in today.”

https://twitter.com/AaronWilson_NFL/status/1831419387896852627

Anderson’s impact differs from most. The reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year is a staple of a potent Houston pass rush that looks to improve after totaling a franchise-record 46 sacks in 2023.

Anderson, who led all rookies in pressures (64) and quarterback hits (22), was responsible for seven sacks, though that number could have been higher if he hadn’t missed two games. The Texans are expecting a breakout season from their J.J. Watt heir-apparent entering Year 2 opposite of four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter.

When at its peak, Ryans believes the duo has an opportunity to consistently “wreak havoc” on Sundays.

“In any passing situations, their ability to disrupt the pocket, disrupt the quarterback, that’s what excites me. If we want to play really good on defense when they’re passing the football, those two guys have to impact the game for us. If they show up and impact the game, it’ll be easier for our guys on the back end.”

Anderson would tend to agree with the second-year coach and fellow Alabama graduate.

“That’s why (Danielle’s) here. That’s why I’m here,” Anderson said. “I know he’s going to wreak havoc. He’s going to do his thing. I’m gonna have his back, and I’m gonna go out there and do the same thing.”

Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.

Zulgad: Five players not named Kirk Cousins the Vikings could move before trade deadline

With a 1-4 start, Judd Zulgad looks at five players not named Kirk Cousins they could realistically trade

The Minnesota Vikings’ decision to place Justin Jefferson on injured reserve this week made an already difficult season even more bleak. The Vikings have won only one of their first five games and the loss of their star wide receiver for at least four games has left many wondering whether the front office will decide to make moves by the Oct. 31 trade deadline.

If the Vikings trade veterans, it would land them draft picks and, if the team isn’t going to compete for a playoff spot, there would be few complaints about general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah turning his focus to the future.

The name that gets brought up most often is quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is in the final season of his contract. But the 35-year-old has a no-trade clause in his deal and it seems unlikely he would be willing to waive it unless his new team gave him a contract extension. That would require Cousins to be willing to commit to that club.

Why wouldn’t Cousins just play out his final season in Minnesota and then hit the free agent market and go through the same process he did in 2018 before signing with the Vikings? This would enable him to allow teams to bid on his services and give him far more control.

There are other players who would be easier to trade and could get the Vikings the type of return that would interest them. Here are five who could be candidates to be jettisoned before November.