The Texans have set up a small but telling roster decision heading into Week 3, and George Odum is right in the middle of it.
Houston is elevating the safety from the practice squad for Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. It’s Odum’s third and final practice squad elevation, which makes this one matter more than the usual temporary call-up.
Third and final practice squad elevation for #Texans special teams ace and former All-Pro #Colts #49ers George Odum for Indianapolis road game, per a league source.Odum had a tackle vs. #Bills and has played 33 plays, and 55 percent of the special teams snaps.Has 205 career… pic.twitter.com/yRoJnCMNIb
Odum has already been active for Houston’s first two games, against the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals. That means this trip to Indianapolis is his last chance to suit up for the Texans on a gameday roster without signing a standard contract.
So far, Houston has clearly liked what it has seen. The eighth-year veteran has one tackle in two games, but he’s been on the field for more than half of the Texans’ special teams snaps. That usage says plenty about how the staff views him, even if the box score is light.
At the same time, this is where the situation gets interesting. Teams often burn through three elevations on a player because a full-time roster move is coming soon. But Houston may have another wrinkle in play.
M.J. Stewart is back in the picture.
The veteran safety, who has been out since December of 2025 with a quad injury, had his 21-day PUP window opened earlier this week. He’s been ruled out for Week 3, but there’s a chance he could return in Weeks 4 or 5.
DeMeco Ryans on #Texans S M.J. Stewart returning to practice on Wednesday:🗣️ "He started his window today.
He looks good."" Get him back out there; we'll see how he continues to progress with the window of time that he has...
He looked nice today." pic.twitter.com/VlaCrPvv1k
That gives Houston a couple of possible paths. The Texans could reward Odum with a spot on the 53-man roster and keep the safety room a little deeper. Or they could leave him on the practice squad for now and let Stewart reclaim the role once he’s ready.
Stewart brings more proven production and also helps on special teams. He started four games at strong safety in 2025, and his return would give Houston some flexibility without needing to keep Odum on the active roster.
For now, Odum is the name to watch in Indianapolis. If he delivers again Sunday, he could make the roster conversation even tougher by the time Week 4 arrives.
In Other News...
Texans Linebackers On-Field Tribute Just Triggered The NFLs Harshest Warning
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Al-Shaair has continued using his platform to honor children killed in Gaza, even as the penalties have mounted. For Houston, the issue has become bigger than a game-day decoration, turning one linebackers tribute into a recurring standoff with the league and raising the stakes each time he steps onto the field with a message written on him. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Get Hope Up Front Before Crucial Colts Trip
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Browns status is still up in the air, and the Texans will keep monitoring him as the week goes on. His presence matters because Houston has needed more steadiness up front in recent games, and getting a tackle of his size and experience back in the mix would be a timely boost before a divisional test. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Suddenly Have A Linebacker Depth Problem To Solve
A lingering groin injury has pushed Jake Hummel onto injured reserve, leaving the Texans without another linebacker for at least the next four games and adding to a unit that has already been stretched thin. Houston entered the week dealing with multiple linebackers on injured reserve or the PUP list, so the latest move only sharpens the pressure on a position group that has become one of the teams clearest depth concerns.
Wade Woodaz and Aiden Fisher could see their roles expand in the short term as the Texans try to patch together the rotation, while the practice squad may become part of the solution if the team decides it needs more help. For a defense that has had to absorb one setback after another at linebacker, the next few weeks may end up being less about ideal matchups and more about simply getting enough bodies on the field. [Read more 🡒]