The Houston Texans may have to open the season without one of their most intriguing young defenders. Rookie defensive tackle Kayden McDonald sat out Thursday’s practice because of an ankle injury, putting his availability for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills in doubt.
McDonald had already been managing the issue earlier in the week. He was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday before missing practice entirely on Thursday, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. His status for Week 1 is still uncertain.
That matters for a Texans defense that is supposed to be one of the team’s calling cards this season. McDonald, a second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, carved out a spot as a promising part of Houston’s defensive line rotation. He is not expected to open the year as a full-time starter, but his size and run-stopping ability give DeMeco Ryans another useful piece up front.
Houston does have depth along the defensive line, which gives the team some cushion if McDonald is unavailable. Ryans has options to rotate bodies and keep his front fresh against Buffalo.
Even so, getting McDonald on the field would be a boost. Sunday’s opener brings a tough assignment against Josh Allen and a Bills offense that can stress a defense in multiple ways. Houston will need to stay sharp against the run while also finding ways to consistently pressure Allen.
The Texans have already dealt with injury issues through the offseason, so McDonald’s situation is one to watch as kickoff gets closer. A downgrade from limited work on Wednesday to no practice on Thursday is not encouraging, though it does not automatically rule him out.
Houston and Buffalo are set to play Sunday at NRG Stadium in one of the more intriguing games of opening weekend. The Texans have won their last two meetings with the Bills, and this matchup carries plenty of weight for two teams with legitimate AFC aspirations.
For McDonald, the next few days will decide whether his NFL debut comes right on schedule or has to wait a little longer. For now, he remains one of Houston’s biggest injury questions heading into Sunday.
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