As the NFL calendar flips to December, the attrition of a long season starts to show - and for the Houston Texans, the injury bug is hitting at a critical time. With a high-stakes matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs looming on Sunday, Houston’s first injury report of the week paints a concerning picture, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Texans Defense Banged Up - and It’s Not Just Depth Guys
Seven Texans were listed as non-participants in Wednesday’s practice, and five of them were defenders - not exactly ideal when you’re about to face Patrick Mahomes at Arrowhead. While it’s still early in the week and some of these absences could be precautionary, the names on the list are far from fringe players.
Let’s start with Will Anderson Jr., who’s been one of the league’s most disruptive edge rushers this season. He’s tied for sixth in sacks and ranks second in total pressures - a stat that tells you he’s constantly living in opposing backfields.
Anderson is dealing with both chest and shoulder injuries, and while it would likely take a lot to keep him off the field for a game of this magnitude, his status is something Houston will be monitoring closely. Without him, the Texans’ pass rush takes a serious hit.
Then there’s Kamari Lassiter, the rookie cornerback who’s been rock solid in coverage all year. He’s started all 12 games and brings a physical, sticky brand of coverage that’s not easy to find.
Lassiter is battling a foot injury and didn’t practice Wednesday. If he’s limited or unavailable, that’s a tough blow against a Chiefs offense that’s starting to find its rhythm again.
Denico Autry also landed on the DNP list. The veteran defensive lineman has been a consistent presence up front, providing versatility and pressure from the interior.
He’s one of those glue guys who doesn’t always fill the stat sheet but makes life easier for everyone around him. Losing him, even for a week, would be a big deal.
Tim Settle Jr. won’t be back anytime soon. The run-stuffing defensive tackle is officially done for the season and will undergo surgery on his foot.
Settle’s not a flashy player, but he’s the kind of space-eater who helps keep linebackers clean and forces offenses to rethink running up the middle. His absence leaves a noticeable void in the trenches.
Azeez Al-Shaair, one of the Texans’ most active linebackers, was limited in practice due to a knee issue. He’s still trending in the right direction, but any limitations to his mobility could be magnified against a Chiefs team that loves to test linebackers in space with Travis Kelce and their stable of backs.
Offensive Concerns: Injuries Up Front and in the Backfield
On the offensive side, the Texans have a couple of key players dealing with injuries of their own.
Trent Brown, who’s started the last four games at tackle, didn’t practice Wednesday due to a hand injury. Brown’s a massive presence on the edge and has helped stabilize the Texans’ offensive line in recent weeks. If he can’t go, Houston may be forced to shuffle its protection - never ideal when Mahomes is on the other sideline and you’re trying to keep pace.
In the backfield, rookie Woody Marks is dealing with an ankle injury after taking a low hit in last week’s game against the Colts. He managed to finish the game, but was clearly limited in the second half.
With Nick Chubb still working his way back to full form, Marks’ availability becomes even more important. He brings a burst and elusiveness that Chubb, at this stage, just doesn’t have.
If Marks can’t go or is limited, the Texans may find themselves lacking the offensive balance they’ve leaned on all season.
The Bottom Line
This is a pivotal week for the Texans, and the injury situation is something to watch closely as Sunday approaches. Houston’s defense has been the backbone of its success, but with multiple starters either sidelined or limited, that unit could be stretched thin against one of the most dangerous offenses in football.
It’s still early in the week, and we’ve seen players bounce back from Wednesday DNPs before. But make no mistake - the Texans are walking into a tough environment with a banged-up roster. If they’re going to pull off a win in Kansas City, they’ll need some of these key names back on the field - and close to full strength.