Houston Texans sign OT Elijah Nkansah ahead of Week 17

The Houston Texans are expected to sign offensive tackle Elijah Nkansah to the active roster.

The Houston Texans aren’t done making moves to their 53 man roster before the end of the regular season. They are reportedly promoting Elijah Nkansah from the practice squad, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.

Nkansah signed to the Texans practice squad earlier in the regular season and was one of the candidates to join the active roster due to Houston’s lack of depth at offensive tackle with only three on the roster after Tytus Howard was placed on the injured reserve list with an ongoing knee injury.

Nkansah entered the league with the Tennessee Titans after going undrafted in 2018 but was waived after training camp. He signed with the Seattle Seahawks practice squad and made his rookie debut towards the end of the regular season. Nkansah was on and off the Seahawks practice squad in 2019 before joining the Texans’ practice squad.

The Texans now have Laremy Tunsil, Roderick Johnson, Chris Clark, and Nkansah as their offensive tackles heading into their last game of the regular season against the Titans before the start of the playoffs. Nkansah may be active in his first week as a Texan with Tunsil questionable to play after being listed with an ankle injury through this week of practice.

Nkansah would be the swing tackle with Johnson and Clark being the starting tackles if the Texans decide not to risk giving Tunsil any playing time in Week 17.

The Texans will waive defensive end Joel Heath to create a roster spot for Nkansah.