It wouldn't be the Houston Texans if there weren't a litany of injuries to several key players that pop up at an inopportune moment. In the lead up to this week's AFC clash between the Texans and the visiting Cincinnati Bengals, Houston released a final injury report that paints a problematic picture for this Sunday (and most likely beyond).
Player | Injury | Days missed | Game Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Jadeveon Clowney, DE | Knee | Wed-Fri (DNP) | OUT |
Nico Collins, WR | Hamstring | Wed (LP), Thurs-Fri (DNP) | OUT |
Jacob Hummel, LB | Groin | Wed-Fri (DNP) | OUT |
Trent Brown, OT | Wrist | N/A | |
Wade Woodaz, LB | Thumb | N/A | |
Ed Ingram, G | Groin | Thurs (LP), Fri (DNP) | OUT |
As of this moment, that would mean that Houston is down two starters in Collins and Ingram, as well as two key depth players in Clowney and Hummel. Whil the odds may not be insurmountable, it still means that the Texans are facing an uphill battle to find the remining talent necessary to effectively fill in the gaps on such short notice.
This will be an early test of the depth that general manager Nick Casero and the Texans seemingly invested in over the offseason.
The Houston Texans' roster depth tested early after rash of injuries before Sunday's meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals
Nico Collins out, in comes WR-by-committee?
We were confident that Collins being out of the lineup was going to happen at some point this season (never played a fully healthy season in six total campaigns), but we didn't anticipate it being so early. Regardless, Houston now has to find replacements for a player who was just responsible for roughly 30% of the receiving yards production last week (75 yards) against the Buffalo Bills.
In theory, the Texans would field a receiving group in the order of Kayshon Boutte, Xavier Hutchinson, Jaylin Noel, Jared Wayne and possibly even a callup of either Lewis Bond or Daniel Sobkowicz from the practice squad. While not the most start-studded of a grouping, I do believe that Houston can find servicable production from this unit for at least a week. This is especially if offensive coordinator Nick Caley were to really reach in his bag of playcalling weaponry and expand the roles of players like running back Woody Marks and tight end Marlin Klein because of the need.
Jadeveon Clowney out, expanded roles for group of 'prove-it' defensive ends?
In another shocker (maybe milder) of an early injury, Clowney finds himself unavailable due to a knee injury that's kept him out all of this week. In his place, players like Dominique Robinson, Sabastian Harsh and/or Logan Hall.
Similar to the wide receiver position, Houston could potentially get away with not having Clowney in the lineup for a game or two if they can get enough from their other depth pass rushers. Especially if the All-Pro duo of Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter are on a rampage, that puts even less pressure on the depth guys to have to be perfect.
Ed Ingram out, in comes All-Pro Wyatt Teller?
The double whammy in this week's injury news is the absence of guard Ed Ingram at the last minute due to a groin injury. Unlike the prior two categories though, Ingram actually has a much more proven backup plan behind him in multi-time All-Pro guard Wyatt Teller.
Funny enough, Teller was signed in the offseason to presumably be one of the starting interior offensive linemen for Houston in the 2026 season. Unfortunately for him, the best five for head coach DeMeco Ryans and co. involved moving rookie Keylan Rutledge to left guard, elevating Evan Brown to starting center and keeping Ingram at right guard, which relegated Teller to the second-string unit.
He now has a golden opportunity to establish himself as someone who's capable of holding down a starting job on the offensive line this year if he excels in the short window that Ingram's injury affords him.
Jake Hummel out, what linebackers are left over?
While Hummel was not a starting linebacker for the defense, his absence is still massive considering how Houston has been ravaged by injuries at that position in particular as of late. Having already lost E.J. Speed, Jake Hansen (came back) and most recently Henry To'oTo'o, the Texans were already scrambling for answers. WIthout Hummel, they'll most likely have to look to both Jamal Hill and the recently acquired Kenneth Murray as stand ins in the interim.
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