The Texans picked up an unwelcome injury report addition Thursday, and it landed on the player they can least afford to have sidelined.
Will Anderson Jr. showed up with an ankle issue ahead of Sunday’s road game against the Browns. After not appearing on Wednesday’s report, the star edge rusher was listed as a limited participant in practice, according to the injury report shared by Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. The timing of the ankle injury is unclear.
If Anderson can’t go, that would be a major hit to Houston’s defense. He has been arguably the best defensive player in football this season, leading the NFL with 9.5 sacks through nine weeks. He also ranks second in the league with 44 pressures and has added 30 run stops, putting him squarely in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation at the midway point.
Houston showed exactly why it values Anderson so highly this offseason, when it signed the former third overall pick to a three-year, $150 million extension that made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
The Texans will be hoping to have him available as they try to build on last week’s 44-22 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Houston is 3-5, but it has won three of its last four games.
Anderson wasn’t the only Houston pass rusher added to the report Thursday. Danielle Hunter also appeared with a hamstring injury and was limited in practice.
There were more concerns on offense, too. Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. was downgraded to a non-participant with a hamstring injury, and running back Woody Marks did not practice because of a knee issue.
Cleveland enters the matchup at 5-4 and will be looking to capitalize on a Houston roster dealing with multiple injuries. The Texans’ final injury report, along with official game designations, will come out Friday.
In Other News...
Texans Offensive Line Suddenly Has A Browns Problem
The Texans may have to reshuffle again up front in Week 10, and this time the issue is at left guard. Rookie Keylan Rutledge is unlikely to play against the Browns after dealing with stinger symptoms from a recent practice injury, leaving Houston to adjust on the fly in a spot that has already asked plenty of a young offensive line.
If Rutledge is out, rookie Febechi Nwaiwu is expected to step into the starting role at left guard. It is another test for a unit trying to settle in, even as DeMeco Ryans has continued to point to Rutledges consistency through the ups and downs of his first NFL season. [Read more 🡒]
Texans See One Cleveland Challenge As A Real Opportunity
Windy weather in Cleveland is not necessarily a nuisance for the Texans. Special teams coordinator Frank Ross sounded almost eager about it this week, pointing to the kind of game where kicking becomes less about routine and more about feel, timing and quick adjustments. With the Browns undefeated at home, Houston is preparing for a tough setting anyway, and Ross framed the forecast as part of the challenge rather than something to fear.
The details matter in conditions like this, where even small changes in wind direction can alter how a kick is handled from snap to finish. Ross also emphasized the role of snapper Austin Brinkman in helping the unit manage the elements, a reminder that these games often come down to the hidden work on special teams. For the Texans, the weather is just another variable in a matchup that already carries plenty of difficulty. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Offense May Finally Be Getting The Balance It Needs
David Montgomery was back on the practice field for the first time since going down with a groin injury in Week 5, a welcome sign for a Texans offense that has been looking for more balance. His return to work does not mean he is ready to jump straight back into game action, but it does give Houston a much-needed indication that one of its key pieces is moving in the right direction.
The Texans have been cautious with the recovery because groin injuries can be tricky, and there is no reason to rush him before he is fully ready. Still, getting Montgomery closer to a return would help deepen the backfield and give Houston another option as it tries to keep defenses honest and take some pressure off the passing game. [Read more 🡒]