Tag: texans injury

Texans provide update on DE Will Anderson Jr.

The Houston Texans could be without their leading sack artist entering Week 10’s matchup at NRG Stadium.

The Houston Texans are in wait-and-see mode with defensive end Will Anderson Jr. entering Sunday night’s matchup against the Detroit Lions.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said the second-year defensive end would be “evaluated closely” throughout practice to determine his status for the matchup against the NFC North favorites.

“We’re still evaluating Will,” Ryans said Monday. “We’ll see how he progresses throughout the week.”

Anderson, October’s AFC Defensive Player of the Month, left during halftime in Thursday night’s loss against the New York Jets with an ankle injury. When trying to tackle running back Breece Hall, linebacker Neville Hewitt landed on Anderson’s left ankle.

While Anderson tried to return to the game — and did partially during the second quarter with the ankle heavily tapped —he was ruled out before the start of the third quarter. Houston’s defense allowed three touchdown passes to Aaron Rodgers en route to an 8-point victory.

Houston’s sack leader must return if it plans on slowing down the Lions’ offensive line. Detriot, which secured a 10-point victory on the road at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers, has allowed 18 sacks through eight games.

The Lions have allowed the league’s fifth-fewest pressures (85) this season.

“They have a lot of good players, a lot of good young players that are exhibiting that mindset and that culture,” Ryans said. “It is a really good team coming in here this week and we are very excited about the matchup.“ 

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. 

Texans lose OL Kenyon Green for remainder of the season

Houston Texans offensive lineman Kenyon Green will miss the remainder of the 2024 NFL season with a shoulder injury.

Kenyon Green’s season —and potential tenure with the Houston Texans — is over.

Green suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in Thursday’s 21-13 loss against the New York Jets and will miss the remainder of the 2024 regular season.

Green, a former first-round pick, was rumored to be on the trade block heading into Tuesday’s 3 p.m. deadline after two underwhelming seasons at left guard.

A former two-time All-American at Texas A&M, Green went down in the first half after quarterback C.J. Stroud fell on him during a third-down play. He was replaced by Kendrick Green and immediately headed to the locker room for X-rays.

This marks the second time in three seasons that Green’s ended up on the season-ending injured reserve because of a shoulder injury. He missed the entire 2023 campaign after going down in the preseason finale against the New Orleans Saints.

Thursday marked the second game where a player’s season ended short. In Week 8’s win over the Indianapolis Colts, two-time All-Pro receiver Stefon Diggs suffered a torn ACL on a non-contact play in the third quarter.

The Texans could turn to Kendrick Green or Jarrett Patterson in Kenyon Green’s place, though both have struggled at times with the first-team offense. General manager Nick Caserio also could target a more proven replacement before Tuesday’s deadline to fortify the trenches.

Selected 15th overall pick by the Texans in the 2022 NFL Draft. He’s started 23 of 24 career games, all nine games for Houston this season. He struggled in pass protection and was only slightly better as a run blocker.

Houston will have nine days to figure out a plan before they face the Detroit Lions at NRG Stadium on Sunday Night Football.

Will Azeez Al-Shaair play today? Latest injury updates for Texans LB

Will Azeez Al-Shaair be back for the Houston Texans in Week 9 against the New York Jets?

With the Houston Texans on a short week, current injured players might be out again if not fully cleared.

That seems to be the case for defensive captain and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, who has remained sidelined for the previous two games after suffering a knee injury in Week 6’s road win.

Will Al-Shaair suit up on “Thursday Night Football” when the Texans take on the New York Jets? Here’s what happened and his current status entering Thursday morning.

Azeez Al-Shaair injury update

Al-Shaair suffered a knee injury in the third quarter of the team’s Week 6 win over the New England Patriots. While he returned for several drives, the veteran did not play in the fourth quarter.

Houston elected to let Al-Shaair rest up in Week 7. He wasn’t cleared by the team’s medical staff to return last week against the Indianapolis Colts, leading to Houston signing former Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Devin White to a one-year deal. 

While Al-Shaair did practice on Tuesday, the Texans ruled him out once more. He will miss his third consecutive game as Houston looks to improve to 7-2 to close out the month of October.

How long will Azeez Al-Shaair be out?

Since Al-Shaair practiced on Tuesday, one could assume he’s close. The Texans will have three days off to recover before beginning Week 10 preparation against the Detroit Lions, which falls on Sunday Night Football and primetime.

It feels likely the window to return is more so in favor of next week rather than Week 11’s showdown on Monday Night Football.

Azeez Al-Shaair stats

Al-Shaair has been an essential member of Houston’s front seven and remains the captain on the field. He’s second in total tackles (40), third in tackles for loss (4.5), fourth in pass breakups (4) and has a sack in six games. 

Texans LB depth chart

With Al-Shaair out, the Texans will be down one starter. Henry To’oTo’o, who missed the last two games with a concussion, is expected to start Thursday night as the team’s MIKE linebacker.

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

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

Hewitt led the team in tackles back-to-back weeks in place of Al-Shaair with 15 combined stops. Hansen recorded 10 stops in two games. 

White, a former first-round pick in 2019, isn’t expected to start but could see prominent reps as the No. 3 option. Last week against the Colts, he recorded three tackles.

Last season with the Buccaneers, White had 83 tackles, six pass deflections and two interceptions.