The Texans’ first injury report for Week 6 brought a little bit of everything: two expected absences, a pair of veterans managing nagging issues, and one notable step forward for a key offensive piece before Houston heads overseas to face the Jaguars in London.
Running back David Montgomery and defensive back Jalen Pitre were the obvious names who didn’t practice Wednesday. Montgomery is dealing with a groin injury, while Pitre is working through an AC joint sprain he picked up in last weekend’s game against the Tennessee Titans. Both are being treated as week-to-week, which leaves their availability for Sunday in real question, even if it doesn’t appear they’re headed for injured reserve.
Houston also held out linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and offensive tackle Trent Brown. Those two have been playing through injuries for the past couple of weeks, and both sat Wednesday as a result. Still, the fact that each suited up against Tennessee suggests they remain on track to be in the mix against Jacksonville.
There was also movement on the defensive side with Henry To'oTo'o. The Texans opened his 21-day return window on Wednesday after he’s missed the last four weeks with a shoulder injury suffered in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills.
He was listed as a limited participant, which is a positive sign, though he could still wind up inactive for Week 6 if he can’t get all the way through a full practice. If that happens, Jake Hansen would continue filling in at WLB.
Beyond the players who sat out, the report also included several Texans who were limited or full participants. Among them were wide receiver Nico Collins, cornerback Jamarcus Ingram, linebacker Henry To'oTo'o, defensive end Will Anderson, tight end Dalton Schultz, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, and defensive end Logan Hall, with those players listed either as limited or full after Wednesday’s work.
And then there’s Tank Dell. He logged his first full practice since being designated to return from the knee injury that has kept him out since 2024, which opens the door for a possible Week 6 return if everything goes smoothly over the next few days. Houston still has to activate him from injured reserve before he can be elevated for game day, so the timeline isn’t official yet - but this was a meaningful step in the right direction.
In Other News...
Marvin Harrison Jr. Trade Just Reignited A Cardinals Value Debate
The wide receiver market had been on Kansas Citys radar, but the Chiefs never got to the point of seriously chasing Marvin Harrison Jr. before Arizona dealt him to Houston. Even with Tyquan Thornton and Rashee Rice dealing with injuries, Kansas City did not go all-in to match the Texans offer, and the price quickly became the center of the conversation around how teams valued a player with Harrisons profile.
Houston stepped in with a package of second- and sixth-round picks, and the Cardinals sent Harrison plus a 2027 seventh-round selection to the Texans in return. For the Texans, it is the kind of swing that can reshape a receiver room in a hurry, while for Arizona it leaves open the bigger question of whether the return matched the market for a player of Harrisons stature. [Read more 🡒]
Texans May Have Found The Explosive Back C.J. Stroud Needs
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Browns appeal is obvious because of the way he can stress a defense before the play even develops. Hes viewed as a fast, elusive prospect for the 2027 NFL Draft, with agility as his calling card, even if questions remain about his strength and how well hell handle contact between the tackles. For Houston, pairing a player like that with a power back such as David Montgomery would at least give the offense a different kind of balance, and maybe a little more help for Stroud when the field starts to shrink. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Defense Could Get A Needed Boost Sooner Than Expected
The Texans defense may be getting a familiar piece back into the mix sooner than it first looked. Linebacker Henry To'oTo'o, sidelined on injured reserve since Week 1 with a shoulder injury, is set to have his 21-day practice window opened, giving Houston a chance to work him back toward game action while also re-evaluating how quickly he is ready to take on a larger role.
General manager Nick Caserio confirmed the update in a recent interview, and it gives the defense some much-needed flexibility in the weeks ahead. A return could come as early as Week 6, though the Texans also have the option to be patient and wait until after the bye week if they want to make sure To'oTo'o is fully recovered before putting him back on the field. [Read more 🡒]