The Texans’ first practice report of Week 2 brought a mostly encouraging look at the roster, but there were still a few names worth watching as Houston gets ready for Cincinnati.
Three players didn’t take part at all on Wednesday: linebacker Jake Hummel, tight end Dalton Schultz and defensive end Jadeveon Clowney. Schultz’s absence was tied to rest, and head coach DeMeco Ryans already said in his opening press conference for the week that he expects Clowney to practice on Thursday.
Hummel is the one with the murkiest outlook. If he can’t get back into the mix, Houston’s linebacker group gets even thinner after losing starting WLB Henry To’oTo’o for at least four weeks and possibly as long as two months because of a shoulder injury suffered in Week 1.
There was better news on a few other front-line names. Nico Collins was limited with a hamstring issue, which at least gives him some level of participation heading into the weekend. That should leave the door open for more clarity over the next two days of practice.
The rest of Houston’s report was fairly clean. Will Anderson was limited because of rest, while rookie linebacker Wade Woodaz and veteran tackle Trent Brown both practiced in full despite their respective injuries. Woodaz has been dealing with a thumb issue, and Brown has been managing a hand/wrist injury leading up to the latest practice.
On the Cincinnati side, the biggest name on the report was quarterback Joe Burrow, who was limited with back tightness. Burrow said earlier Wednesday that he expects to play in Houston on Sunday, and he also called any idea that he might sit out Week 2 “ridiculous.”
The Bengals also listed defensive tackle B.J. Hill as a non-participant because of rest, while defensive end Shemar Stewart was a full participant with a knee issue.
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 🡒]
Texans Suddenly Have A C.J. Stroud Protection Problem Before Bengals Game
The Texans are heading into Week 2 with a little more uncertainty around the edges than they would like, and it starts with the availability of two important pieces on offense. Nico Collins has been dealing with a Grade 1 hamstring injury, while right guard Ed Ingram has missed multiple practices because of a groin issue, putting some pressure on Houstons protection plans before Sundays matchup with the Bengals.
Any time a receiver like Collins is limited, it changes how defenses can be handled, but the bigger concern in Houston is how these injuries ripple through the offensive line and the overall rhythm of the unit. Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney has also sat out several practices with a knee injury, adding another name to the list of Texans trying to get right in time for a game that already looks like it could demand a cleaner, sturdier performance up front. [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 🡒]