The Houston Texans are already down starting linebacker Christian Harris for Sunday’s matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
They now could be without their leader up the middle in Azeez Al-Shaair.
The middle linebacker was added to Saturday’s updated injury report with an undisclosed illness and is listed as questionable. He’ll be a game-time decision.
Defensive tackle Kurt Hinish, who was activated off injured reserve, was ruled out.
Houston #Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair (illness) has been added to the injury report and is questionable for Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills. DT Kurt Hinish (calf) has been downgraded to out.
— Houston Texans PR (@TexansPR) October 5, 2024
If Al-Shaair can’t go, the Texans will lean on starting linebacker Henry To’oTo’o and perhaps a combination of Neville Hewitt and Del’Shawn Phillips. Jake Hansen, a special teams standout, is dealing with a back injury. He’s listed as questionable.
Al-Shaair has started every game since signing a three-year deal this offseason and ranks second in tackles with 29. He also has three tackles for loss, four quarterback hits and one sack.
The Texans activated defensive end Dylan Horton from the reserve/non-football illness list after 10 months following his diagnosis with Stage 4 Hodgkins lymphoma. Horton was placed on the NFI list in December after being diagnosed but announced in in March that he was in remission.
A 2023 fourth-round pick out of TCU, Horton played in 10 games for the Texans last season and finished with 13 tackles and a fumble recovery.
In a corresponding move, the Texans placed defensive end Jerry Hughes, who’s been dealing with a hip injury, on IR.
#Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair is questionable to play Sunday against the Bills due to an illness. Per the Team pic.twitter.com/hPjX7HVKMd
— Dylan Delgatto (@DDelgattoNFL) October 5, 2024
“For Dylan to be back after everything he has gone through, battling cancer, then to see him back on the field almost an entire year of missing football,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “The way he handled it and the mindset at which he handled it, he always still attacked it with a smile, he attacked it with a great attitude every single day.”
With Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon out with an ankle injury, Houston elevated J.J. Taylor from the practice squad to the 53-man roster for the second consecutive week.
Kickoff from NRG Stadium is scheduled for noon CT.