Azeez Al-Shaair is trending toward a return at just the right time for Houston, and that’s trouble for a New York Giants offense set to put J.J. McCarthy under center against the Texans in Week 7.
The veteran linebacker, now in his eighth NFL season and third with Houston, got back on the practice field Thursday after sitting out Wednesday with a minor knee injury he picked up against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He had already played in the Texans’ first five games of the 2026 season, so his limited work late in the week points to a chance he won’t miss Sunday’s game.
That would be a big boost for a Houston defense that leans heavily on Al-Shaair’s presence. He has been one of the Texans’ most important pieces since arriving, and his impact has helped shape a unit that ranked among the league’s best in 2025. Even with Houston off to a slow start in 2026, Al-Shaair’s return would give the defense another familiar edge.
The production is still there, too. Through five games, he has 49 tackles and two pass deflections. Last season, he piled up 103 tackles and two interceptions and earned a Pro Bowl nod.
Houston #Texans Thursday Injury Report for Week 7 vs. the New York Giants: pic.twitter.com/Rhv92ZQGcp
— Houston Texans PR (@TexansPR) October 22, 2026
Houston enters Week 7 with a 2-4 record, sitting third in the AFC South. The Texans are ahead of the Tennessee Titans but behind the Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars. In the AFC standings, they are 13th, with only the Titans and Miami Dolphins behind them and the Colts and New York Jets ahead.
The Texans will be at home for the matchup, hosting the Giants on Oct. 25 at 1 p.m. ET.
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With several players on expiring contracts, the next move may not be about adding help so much as protecting future value before the Nov. 10 trade deadline. Xavier Hutchinson and Boutte are the names most likely to come up if Houston decides to turn a crowded position into draft capital and more flexibility for the offseason, even if any such discussion remains firmly in the speculative stage for now. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Suddenly Have One Big Concern Despite Tank Dells Return
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Seven Texans did not practice because of injuries, and the most troubling absences came in the secondary with Azeez Al-Shaair, Reed Blankenship and Jalen Pitre among those sidelined. Houston is also dealing with issues up front, with Trent Brown and Blake Fisher missing practice, so even with New York confirming J.J. McCarthy as its starter, the Texans are suddenly managing far more than one comeback story. [Read more 🡒]
Marvin Harrison Jr. Could Be Headed For A Bigger Texans Role
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Now the next step is about volume and assertiveness, because Harrison has said he plans to be more aggressive in the games ahead. That will be worth watching as Houston tries to extend its winning streak against the New York Giants, a matchup that should offer another chance to see how much bigger his role can become in this offense. [Read more 🡒]