Texans Getting Healthier Ahead of Raiders Matchup: Stingley Jr., Marks Return to Practice
HOUSTON - The Texans are starting to look a little more whole as they gear up for Sunday’s home clash with the Las Vegas Raiders. All-Pro corner Derek Stingley Jr. and starting running back Woody Marks were both back on the practice field Friday morning, working with trainers on the side after missing the previous two sessions.
While they’re likely to be listed as limited participants, the signs are encouraging. Both players are trending toward being available on Sunday - a welcome development for a team still in the thick of the AFC playoff picture.
Stingley gutted it out last week against the Cardinals, playing most of the game despite aggravating an oblique injury. That kind of toughness has defined his season, and the Texans will need his lockdown ability on the outside against a Raiders team that’s shown flashes of explosiveness.
Marks, meanwhile, exited the Arizona game with a sprained ankle and didn’t return. But according to head coach DeMeco Ryans, he was capable of going back in if needed.
That’s a good sign for his availability this week. In his absence, rookie Jawhar Jordan made the most of his opportunity, rushing for 101 yards in his NFL debut - a performance that earned him a spot on the 53-man roster.
Ryans has been optimistic about his injured players all week, saying Stingley, Marks, and corner Kamari Lassiter - who returned to practice Thursday after dealing with a foot injury - will all “be fine.” Lassiter echoed that sentiment, telling reporters, “I feel great.”
The Texans’ injury report has been lengthy, but Thursday brought more good news as several key contributors returned to the field. Middle linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (ankle, knee), defensive end Denico Autry (knee), defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (knee), offensive tackle Trent Brown (broken finger), and linebacker E.J.
Speed (knee) were all back at practice. All were limited, except for Brown, who was a full participant - a positive sign for a unit that’s leaned heavily on its offensive line all season.
Running back Nick Chubb, who missed the Arizona game with a rib injury, was also upgraded to full participation. He returned to practice Wednesday and looked sharp. At Friday’s session, Chubb and Jordan took the first handoffs - a pairing that could give Houston a fresh and dynamic one-two punch out of the backfield.
On the defensive side, edge rusher Darrell Taylor (ankle) continues his return from injured reserve. He was designated for return Wednesday and was a full participant in practice - another potential boost for a pass rush that thrives on depth and rotation.
But not everything is trending up. The Texans are dangerously thin at defensive tackle after losing Mario Edwards Jr., Tim Settle Jr., and Foley Fatukasi to season-ending injuries.
That’s left Tommy Togiai and Rankins as the starters, with Naquan Jones as the lone experienced backup. The fourth DT spot for Sunday will likely come from the practice squad.
Houston’s already made a move there, signing Marcus Harris - a former seventh-round pick out of Auburn - to the practice squad. They’ve also got three other options: Haggai Ndubuisi, a 6-foot-8, 340-pound international player; Junior Tafuna, a former Senior Bowl standout from Utah; and Marlon Davidson, the most experienced of the group. Davidson is the expected call-up for Sunday, but don’t be surprised if Autry sees some snaps inside - he’s shown the ability to disrupt from the interior when needed.
With a critical game looming against the Raiders, the Texans are getting healthier at just the right time. If Stingley and Marks can suit up, and the defensive front holds up despite the depth concerns, this team is well-positioned to keep its playoff push alive.