The Houston Texans took another hit on the eve of their regular season opener, placing rookie defensive tackle Kayden McDonald on injured reserve because of an ankle injury.
That move will keep McDonald out of Houston’s first four games: against the Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys. He becomes eligible to return for the Texans’ matchup with the Tennessee Titans on October 11.
To help cover the loss, Houston is signing defensive tackle Jaden Crumedy from the Green Bay Packers practice squad.
Houston Chronicle reporter Jonathan M. Alexander reported after the announcement, “McDonald suffered the injury in practice Wednesday, a league source said. He did not practice Thursday or Friday and wore a protective boot over his foot in the locker room”
The injury comes just as McDonald was expected to matter right away on Houston’s defensive front. A second-round rookie, he entered the league after earning first team All-American honors at Ohio State in 2025 and building a reputation as one of the best run-stoppers in the 2026 NFL Draft. He finished his final college season with 65 tackles and showed improvement as a pass rusher late in the year.
Houston’s interior defensive line still has some insulation, with starters Sheldon Rankins and Tommy Togiai expected to handle most of the snaps. Even so, McDonald was brought in to help set the tone on early downs as a run-stuffer, and that role was part of why the Texans viewed him as such a promising addition.
The depth chart is getting thinner, though. McDonald is now one of four Texans defensive linemen on injured reserve, joining Dylan Horton, Solomon Byrd and Ali Gaye. None of them are starters, but the team’s depth at a critical spot is suddenly under pressure, especially with a demanding opening stretch ahead.
That front will be tested immediately. Togiai, Mario Edwards Jr. and free-agent addition Logan Hall will have to shoulder more of the load Sunday against defending NFL rushing leader James Cook, who ran for 116 yards and a touchdown at 6.8 yards per carry against Houston last season.
Still, this is a Texans defense built to absorb some damage. The injury is a real setback, but the group still has enough talent up front to keep moving.
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Texans Still Have One Defensive Concern Before Bills Opener
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Houston also got encouraging signs elsewhere, with Trent Brown returning to a full practice as he works back from a wrist injury and linebacker Wade Woodaz fully participating despite a thumb issue. Woodaz is expected to make his NFL debut, but for the Texans the real pregame attention remains on whether McDonald is ready to go when the Bills kick things off. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Defense Faces Its Biggest Test Against A Bills Team That Remembers
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Buffalo left tackle Dion Dawkins did not sound like someone eager to relive it, which only adds to the edge around this matchup. For Houston, the bigger question is whether that past success was a one-night statement or a sign of how this defense can travel against elite quarterbacks, especially with recent NFL defensive performances offering a roadmap for how teams have tried to slow down high-powered attacks. [Read more 🡒]