In a season where the Houston Texans have already been victims of chronic injuries, Friday's injury report paints a potentially grim picture for the team's plans for another two-game winning streak on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.
According to the team's official PR account on X, the Texans have ruled out the following players for Sundays' contest:
- Azeez Al-Shaair, linebacker: Groin/Personal (OUT)
- Brevin Jordan, tight end: Finger/Foot (OUT)
- Marvin Harrison Jr., wide receiver: Hamstring (OUT)
- Danielle Hunter, defensive end: Hamstring (OUT)
- Keylan Rutledge, interior offensive line: Neck/Shoulder (OUT)
This news is unfortunate for several reasons, and it immediately takes the hope gained from last week's blowout victory over the Los Angeles Chargers and turns it into concern for the proverbial "bottom to fall out" against the Browns.
For the moment, all Houston can do is continue in their "next man up" mentality that they began the season with. With that said, the door is now open for at least five players to make their mark for the team in week 10.
5 players the Houston Texans must turn to after massive Friday Injury Report
Jake Hansen, linebacker
Jake Hansen has already started six out of eight games played by the Texans this season, so the former Illinois playmaker is used to being called upon in a pinch this year. It looks like more of the same will be asked of him this Sunday in relief of Al-Shaair.
For anyone who's concerned about the dropoff in production, Hansen has 39 total tackles, one sack and one interception this campaign. Meanwhile, his runningmate in Henry To'oTo'o has only 0.5 sack with no interceptions thus far, and Al-Shaair has neither a sack nor an interception.
Marlin Klein, tight end
Placing Marlin Klein on this list is a bit of a stretch, considering it seemingly took a hurricane of skepticism and outcries from the fan base for the Texans' coaching staff to utilize the former Michigan Wolverine in an on-field capacity after the bye week (being facetious of course).
So, after four consecutive healthy DNP's and a now-injured Brevin Jordan, the team might be forced to have an expanded role for Klein in week 10. If nothing else, it'll give us all a chance to see how effective he is on special teams (seeing as though that apparently played a part in his absence earlier in the season).
Kayshon Boutte, wide receiver
After a four-catch, 125-yard, two-touchdown day against the Chargers, things were already looking up for the former New England Patriots pass catcher. Now that Marvin Harrison Jr. is out due to a hamstring injury, Boutte could be empowered in the offense even more so. He'll still split reps with Nico Collins, Tank Dell and Xavier Hutchinson, but at least there will still be more to go around.
Dominique Robinson, defensive end
Dominique Robinson's journey to this point in time has already been filled with challenges. Being cut, brought back and now serving in what's nothing more than a depth role, Robison hasn't really had many moments that have called for his number to be called specifically. That was until today, when news broke that Danielle Hunter would now be missing Sunday's game with a hamstring injury.
As a result, I'm tabbing Robinson as having a huge opportunity in front of him to make the most of major reps that need to be taken with Hunter absent. Even with players like Jadeveon Clowney and Logan Hall still available for duty, Robinson seems to have the clearest path to an increased role given the circumstances.
Febechi Nwaiwu, interior offensive line
Febechi Nwaiwu's versatility along the interior of the offensive line immediately stood out as a strength coming out of Oklahoma. The fourth-rounder will now be tested in that department, as fellow rookie protector Keylan Rutledge will be sitting out due to an ailment in his neck/shoulder areas. Assuming he plays, we'll all get the first real look at what the former Oklahoma Sooner brings to the table as an interior blocker for quarterback C.J. Stroud.
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