The Texans may be staring at a Week 2 lineup squeeze on offense, and it’s not just about Nico Collins.
Houston is already dealing with concern around its Pro Bowl receiver, who hurt his hamstring in Wednesday’s practice and has sat out the next two sessions. Now right guard Ed Ingram has joined the list of question marks after missing a second straight practice Friday because of a groin injury, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson.
Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney was also out again Friday, his third consecutive absence.
Ingram’s week has taken a clear turn. He was a full participant in the Texans’ first practice of the week, then was limited Thursday before being listed as a DNP on Friday. That kind of progression suggests the issue flared up during Thursday’s work, putting his status for Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals very much in doubt.
If Ingram can’t go, Houston loses one of its most important pieces up front. He has settled in as a steady interior presence since becoming a weekly starter in 2025, and the Texans rewarded that with a new three-year deal worth more than $35 million this offseason, keeping him under contract through 2028.
His 2026 debut against the Buffalo Bills wasn’t clean, though. Ingram played all 79 of Houston’s offensive snaps and gave up seven pressures, two quarterback hits, and a sack.
Still, the Texans know what he can bring when he’s right. In 2025, he posted a top-10 run blocking grade from Pro Football Focus, and that form has carried into this season, where he currently ranks sixth in run blocking among 64 eligible guards.
That’s why Houston’s offensive line would feel the loss if he misses Week 2. The good news for the Texans is that they may have a ready-made fallback in Wyatt Teller.
Teller signed with Houston earlier this offseason on a two-year deal, with plenty expecting him to compete for the starting left guard job. Instead, training camp and the preseason passed with Teller stuck on the second unit. But if Ingram is unavailable, Teller could finally get his shot at right guard, the position where he logged more than 100 starts with the Cleveland Browns.
That would give Houston a workable answer in a spot where protection and run blocking both matter. The Texans would still prefer to have one of their highest-paid starters on the field, but Teller gives them a path to manage the injury if Ingram can’t suit up.
With Collins also in danger of missing the game, the Texans are suddenly looking at a tricky offensive setup against Cincinnati. Even so, the roster has enough depth to give Houston a chance to steady itself and try to bounce back from its Week 1 disappointment by Sunday.
In Other News...
Texans Defense Suddenly Has A Clowney Concern Before Bengals Game
Jadeveon Clowneys status has become a small but meaningful concern for the Texans as they turn their attention to the Bengals. The veteran edge rusher was limited in practice because of a knee injury, a development worth watching for a defense that could use all the disruption it can get after its Week 1 issues.
Clowney was one of the brighter spots in the opener, even as Houstons defense struggled overall, so any setback with his availability changes the conversation around this matchup. The Texans will keep monitoring him leading up to the game, and whether he can suit up against Cincinnati is now one of the more important injury storylines on their side. [Read more 🡒]
DeForest Buckners Return Could Change Everything For The Colts Defense
DeForest Buckners return to full participation in Colts training camp has given Indianapolis a much-needed boost, especially after he acknowledged he had seriously considered retirement while dealing with multiple injuries. For a defense that leans so heavily on his presence, getting Buckner back on the field changes the tone around the unit and gives head coach Shane Steichen a proven leader to build around as camp moves forward.
For Houston, it is also a reminder of how quickly the AFC South picture can shift when a rivals defensive centerpiece is healthy. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans has already been in the position of defending C.J. Stroud after a rough outing, pointing more to defensive breakdowns than to the quarterbacks turnovers, and matchups with Indianapolis figure to carry plenty of weight if Buckner is back to anchoring that front the way the Colts expect. [Read more 🡒]
DeMeco Ryans Saw One Encouraging Texans Sign In A Tough Loss
After a Week 1 loss, DeMeco Ryans still found something encouraging to point to in the Texans performance. He singled out the work of David Montgomery and the offensive line, a small but meaningful sign that Houstons physical identity can still show up even when the final result does not.
For a team trying to settle in early, those kinds of positives matter because they hint at a foundation the Texans can build on. Ryans praise came in a week when the AFC South already featured other teams sorting through communication and execution issues, which only heightens the value of any clean stretch Houston can carry forward. [Read more 🡒]