Tag: Fatukasi

Texans vs. Packers: How many starters could be out in Week 7?

Azeez-Al Shaair, Henry To’oTo’o and others could be out this Sunday against the Green Bay Packers for the Houston Texans defense.

The Houston Texans are already down potential All-Pro receiver Nico Collins on offense.

They could be down even more on defense for Sunday’s trip to Lambeau Field.

Cornerback Kamari Lassiter (shoulder), safety Jimmie Ward (groin), defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi (shoulder), linebacker Azeez-Al Shaair (knee) and linebacker Henry To’oTo’o (concussion) were all out with injuries during Thursday’s practice. Lassiter and Ward did not play last week and aren’t expected to play Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.

https://twitter.com/TexansPR/status/1847013501438443534

Barring a last-second change, Fatukasi, Al-Shaair and To’oTo’o likely won’t play, either. While the Texans are expected to have back defensive lineman Denico Autry, he might not start until Week 8 when Houston takes on Indianapolis at home.

Keep in mind that the Texans are also without starting defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr., who was suspended for four games earlier this week after violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

So, what does that mean? At a minimum, five starters will miss Sunday’s contest. At maximum, the total is seven.

That’s not ideal since the Packers remain one of the league’s more explosive offenses entering Week 7 behind MVP-caliber quarterback Jordan Love. The second-year starter has only played in two games, yet ranks second in passing touchdowns with 12.

“Going against Jordan Love this week, it will be the best quarterback we’ve seen this year,” Texans coach DeMeo Ryans said. “So, it’ll be a really, really tough matchup, really good team.”

Love, who inked a four-year mega extension this offseason, is heating up. He threw four touchdown passes in a 34-13 win over the Arizona Cardinals last week, including two to No. 2 target Romeo Doubs.

If the Texans are down all those players, depth becomes a liability. Special teams linebackers Neville Hewitt and Jake Hansen will perform double duty. The same goes for cornerback D’Angelo Ross in place of Lassiter. Rookie Calen Bullock also could see 100% of reps at safety.

The Texans also recently reinstated Kurt Hinish from the injured reserve after trading away running back Cam Akers on Tuesday. He’s been a full participant in practice and could start in place of Fatukasi.

Houston could contract on offense with the return of Dameon Pierce and Pro Bowler Joe Mixon. The two set the tone on the ground in Sunday’s 41-21 win over the New England Patriots after averaging over 7.5 yards per carry.

Mixon, who led the NFL in rushing yards after Week 1, totaled 132 yards and two touchdowns. Pierce rushed for 76 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown.

Kickoff

Texans sign DT Foley Fatukasi to 1-year deal

The Houston Texans beefed up their defensive line ahead of unrestricted free agency.

The Houston Texans added another piece to their defensive line.

The team and defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi agreed to a one-year deal, according to KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson and confirmed by multiple reporters.

It’s unclear what the terms of the agreement are ahead of the unofficial start of free agency on Monday. Fatukasi was able to sign before the unofficial start of free agency because he had been released before the official start of the league year on March. 13

Fatukasi spent the past two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars after he began his career with the New York Jets for four seasons. The 6-foot-4, 318-pound former seventh-round pick out of UConn recorded 24 combined tackles and two quarterback hits this past season. He had 1.5 sacks in 2022.

He joins a shallow group of interior defensive linemen that includes Khalil Davis and Maliek Collins. The Texans have had reported interest in free agent Christian Wilkins as well and could also bring back Sheldon Rankins.

If the pre-free agency news is a sign of things to come, it appears as though the Texans are prioritizing the defense first. Which makes sense – Houston ranked middle of the pack in 2023 but had a lot of room for improvement.