The Texans’ latest running back move makes a lot more sense now.
Houston is placing British Brooks on injured reserve because of a hamstring injury, according to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. That update comes on top of the injury situation already thinning out the room, with practice squad rookie Noah Whittington also on injured reserve this week after suffering a quad injury.
Brooks’ stint on injured reserve will keep him out for at least the next four games. The earliest he can be activated again comes in Week 9 against the LA Chargers, since the Texans are on bye in Week 8.
This is the second injury Brooks has dealt with during his 2026 campaign. He also broke his hand in training camp in August, which sidelined him for about a month.
On the field, Brooks hasn’t played an offensive snap yet this season. His role has come almost entirely on special teams, where he’s been on the field for 60% of Houston’s special teams snaps over the first three games.
That’s why the addition of Dare Ogunbowale fits so neatly. With Brooks out, Ogunbowale can step into that same kind of role over the next few weeks and maybe longer if he makes the most of it.
The Texans had already drawn speculation after bringing Ogunbowale aboard, but the Brooks news confirms the logic behind it. Ogunbowale is expected to handle the special teams work Brooks was doing, while also giving Houston another option if the team needs backfield depth in a pinch.
It’s a role that lines up with why Ogunbowale has stuck around Houston for the last four seasons. He’s been a steady veteran presence in the running back room, a dependable special teams contributor, and a former captain who can help in the areas that matter most when injuries start piling up.
For now, that means plenty of Ogunbowale on kickoffs and punt returns while Brooks recovers and the Texans wait for their backfield to get healthier.
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