Texans Dealing with Key Injuries Ahead of Cardinals Matchup, But Reinforcements Are on the Way
HOUSTON - The Texans hit the practice field Wednesday with a noticeably thin backfield, as both of their top running backs were sidelined due to injuries. Rookie starter Woody Marks was held out with an ankle issue, while veteran Nick Chubb missed practice after suffering a rib injury that knocked him out of Sunday’s game against the Chiefs at Arrowhead.
Chubb’s status for this weekend’s matchup with the Arizona Cardinals is up in the air. The rib injury is being monitored closely, and while nothing is official yet, there’s a real chance he may not be available. That would put even more pressure on the Texans’ depth chart at running back.
Marks, on the other hand, is trending in a more positive direction. Despite dealing with the ankle injury during the game in Kansas City, he managed to play through it - a sign of both his toughness and the team’s confidence in his ability to manage the issue. Barring any setbacks, the expectation is that the rookie will be ready to go Sunday.
Beyond the backfield, the Texans are managing a handful of other injuries across the roster. Cornerback Kamari Lassiter, who played the entire game against the Chiefs despite a foot injury, was held out of practice as a precaution.
Offensive tackle Trent Brown, still recovering from a broken finger, also didn’t participate. Neither did defensive end Denico Autry (knee) or linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (knee).
The Texans are keeping a close eye on all four, but the current belief is that these are maintenance moves rather than long-term concerns.
There was some good news on the injury front, though. Tight end Harrison Bryant and wide receiver Justin Watson both returned to practice after being designated to return from injured reserve. Their presence could give the offense a much-needed boost, especially with the uncertainty in the backfield.
Additionally, the Texans re-signed fullback Jakob Johnson to the practice squad, adding a bit more muscle to the run game if needed. Johnson’s familiarity with the system and physical style of play could prove valuable, particularly if Chubb can’t go.
With Sunday’s game against Arizona looming, the Texans are walking a fine line - balancing injury management with the need to stay competitive in a tightly contested playoff race. The depth of this roster will be tested, but if Marks can go and a few key defenders return in time, Houston should still be able to field a strong lineup.
This is the time of year when durability and depth matter just as much as talent. The Texans are hoping they’ve got enough of all three.