Tag: Hosuton Texans vs. Chicago Bears

Will Henry To’oTo’o play this week? Injury updates for Texans LB

Houston Texans LB Henry To’oTo’o is dealing with a concussion. Here are the latest updates.

With the Houston Texans on a short week, players currently injured might be out once more if not fully cleared. 

That might not be the case for second-year linebacker Henry To’oTo’o, who suffered a concussion earlier this month but returned to practice last week. He was a last-second inactive for Sunday’s 23-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts and could have played if the team was desperate. 

Will To’oTo’o suit up on “Thursday Night Football” when the Texans take on the New York Jets? Here’s what happened and his current status entering Tuesday’s walkthrough. 

Henry To’oTo’o injury update

To’oTo’o suffered a concussion during the fourth quarter of Week 6’s win over the New England Patriots. He didn’t practice before Week 7’s loss against the Green Bay Packers and was limited last week.

While To’oTo’o practiced on Wednesday, he missed Thursday’s drills for further evaluation. To’o’To’o returned on Friday, but the Texans listed him as questionable on the final injury report. 

While the Texans didn’t practice Monday, To’oTo’o would have been a full participant, meaning he’s cleared protocol and can now handle contact. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans didn’t say if he’d play, but the early outlook seems to be promising. 

How long will Henry To’oTo’o be out?

Barring a setback during Tuesday’s drills, it would be best to assume that To’oTo’o will play Thursday against the AFC East opponent. The Texans have managed without him and Azeez Al-Shaair through two weeks, but there’s been a drop-off in production between the three rotating options. 

Henry To’oTo’o stats

Through six games, To’oTo’o leads the Texans with 46 tackles. He’s also recorded two tackles for loss, a sack and a pass breakup. 

Texans LB depth chart

Al-Shaair, who’s also missed the last two games due to a knee injury, could be again after being listed as “didn’t practice” along with Pro Bowl receiver Stefon Diggs and defensive back Jimmie Ward. 

Here’s the rest of the linebackers on the active roster:

  • Neville Hewitt 
  • Devin White
  • Jake Hansen
  • Del’Shawn Phillips
  • Jamal Hill

Hewitt, White and Hansen rotated in last week and likely will do the same opposite To’oTo’o. Hewitt, best known as a special teams ace, has been the team’s top tackler over the previous two games. He finished with eight stops against the Patriots and Packers, respectively. 

Texans Wire Player of the Game: K Ka’imi Fairbairn

Ka’imi Fairbairn set an NFL record Sunday night on primetime television to help the Houston Texans secure a win over the Chicago Bears.

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans credited Nico Collins for finding his way into the end zone for a 28-yard score.

He gave props to the defense for forcing two turnovers and totaling seven sacks against Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams.

But the Texans secured a 19-13 victory Sunday night in their home opener because Ka’imi Fairbairn can’t miss.

No, literally, it feels like a challenge to see him not connect for an easy three points wherever he lines up on the field.

He’s been perfect to begin the season and is well on his way to shattering records this fall.

“Ka’imi is the reason why we’ve won these two games,” Ryans said postgame late Sunday evening. “That’s the player of the game.”

Ryans isn’t wrong. Fairbairn’s consistency has kept Houston (2-0) ahead in wins over the Colts and Bears in back-to-back weeks.

It’s also a record. With Fairbairn’s 53-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, he’s now the first kicker in NFL history with six 50-plus-yard field goals within a two-game span.

Fairbairn, who drilled three field goals in Week 1’s win over the Colts, started the night with a 56-yard blast to give Houston a 3-0 lead. He extended the Texans’ lead before halftime with a booming 59-yard kick that had the crowd at NRG Stadium erupting into the night and keeping pace.

“He’s been consistent, he’s been on it and he’s the reason why we’re standing here,” Ryans said. “The kicking game is the reason why we won this game today.”

Fairbairn was a top priority signing this offseason after Houston secured its first division title in four years. The Texans believed his best years were still ahead, so they inked him to a new three-year, $15.9 million contract extension.

Like quarterbacks, finding a consistent kicker can be challenging. Oftentimes, speical teams won’t be an essential part of a team’s game plan, leading to a carousel of placekickers and punters coming in each offseason while leaving the following winter.

For Fairbarin, who enters his ninth season with the Texans, the title of “Mr. Clutch” has reached new levels in 2024. His shortest kick so far has been from 47 yards out, which probably should be considered automatic.

Last week, running back Joe Mixon took home Texans Wire’s Player of the Game en route to winning AFC Offensive Player of the Week.

Fairbairn’s clutch factor earned him the Texans Wire’s top honor.

Will he follow in Mixon’s footsteps at the national level?