The Houston Texans hit the practice field for the second time this week on Thursday, gearing up for their Sunday matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. And while the focus is on keeping momentum after a big win over the Chiefs, all eyes were also on the injury report-which, for Houston, came with a few encouraging updates.
Let’s break it down.
Texans Trending Up
Houston had eight players upgraded from Wednesday’s session, including three key starters who went from not practicing at all to being full participants. That’s the kind of mid-week progress you love to see, especially heading into a critical December stretch.
Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, right tackle Trent Brown, and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins all made that jump, signaling they’re trending in the right direction for Sunday. All three play pivotal roles-Al-Shaair is the heartbeat of the linebacker group, Brown anchors the right side of the offensive line, and Rankins brings veteran presence and interior disruption up front.
Also making strides: tight end Harrison Bryant, linebacker Jamal Hill, and wide receiver Justin Watson-each of whom went from limited work to full participation. Bryant and Watson are still technically on injured reserve but are practicing, which is a strong sign that their return windows are opening up.
Running back Woody Marks, who missed Wednesday’s practice with a knee issue, was back on the field in a limited capacity Thursday. That’s a step forward for the rookie back, who’s shown flashes when healthy.
New Addition, Familiar Praise
One name that popped up on Thursday’s did not participate list was offensive lineman Tytus Howard, a new addition to the injury report. That’s something to monitor closely, especially given how crucial he is to protecting C.J. Stroud and maintaining the rhythm of this offense.
Also sitting out was cornerback Kamari Lassiter, though his situation is a bit more nuanced. Lassiter, the Texans’ second-round pick in 2024, missed some practice time last week too-but still suited up and played in the win over Kansas City. And not just played-he impressed.
Defensive coordinator Matt Burke couldn’t say enough about Lassiter’s toughness and impact:
“I thought, obviously, working through missing some practice time last week and then showing up on Sunday was awesome.
I don't even know how many superlatives I can say about him at this point. He's, I'd argue, the best tackling corner in the league and he's the toughest corner in the league.”
That’s high praise for a rookie, and it speaks to how quickly Lassiter has earned trust inside the building.
Cardinals Injury Report: Key Starters Sidelined
On the other side, the Cardinals are dealing with their own set of injury concerns-and they’re not minor.
Three starters-left guard Evan Brown, wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., and left tackle Paris Johnson Jr.-did not participate in Thursday’s practice. Johnson has already been ruled out, which is a big blow to Arizona’s offensive line. Harrison Jr., the Cardinals’ prized rookie wideout, is dealing with a heel issue that’s kept him off the field so far this week.
Also missing practice: cornerback Max Melton, defensive lineman Bilal Nichols, safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, safety Jalen Thompson, and wide receiver Xavier Weaver. That’s a long list of contributors, particularly on the defensive side.
A few veterans were held back for rest-related reasons-Kelvin Beachum, Josh Sweat, and Dalvin Tomlinson all had limited participation, but that’s standard maintenance for experienced players at this point in the season.
There was some good news for Arizona: safety Budda Baker and cornerback Will Johnson were full participants after being limited earlier in the week. Baker, in particular, is the emotional leader of that defense, and his availability will be crucial against a Texans offense that’s found its groove.
With Sunday looming, both teams are managing injuries, but Houston’s arrow is pointing up at the right time. The Texans are getting healthier, and their young stars-like Kamari Lassiter-are showing they can rise to the moment even when banged up. Arizona, meanwhile, has some key names trending in the opposite direction, especially along the offensive line.
In a league where availability is often just as important as ability, the Texans may be getting a timely edge.