The Houston Texans piqued interest as they hit the practice field on Wednesday for their first session of Week 14, as they prepare to face the Kansas City Chiefs. It was the Texans who missed practice that drew attention to head coach DeMeco Ryans’ squad.
Ryans, though, put an end to the speculation.
That is tremendous news for the Texans, who did not have Kamari Lassiter, Trent Brown, Will Anderson Jr., or Woody Marks on the practice field to start the week.
Texans HC DeMeco Ryans Clears Air Over Injury Concerns
GettyWill Anderson Jr. #51 of the Houston Texans reacts against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson was among those to note on X that the Texans’ foursome was not on the practice field during the portion of the session that was open to the media on Wednesday, before Ryans addressed the matter.
“Kamari, Woody, Will, they’ll all be fine,” Ryans told reporters on December 3. “We’ll see how the week goes.”
Marks was the only one of the trio to exit the Texans’ Week 13 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
He suffered the injury during the first quarter and was able to return to the contest by the second frame and finish it out. Marks spoke candidly about his toughness after what appeared to be a potentially significant injury.
It forced him to the Texans’ locker room before he was able to get back on the field. Marks still ended up out-touching backfield mate Nick Chubb 19 carries to nine.
Anderson and Lassiter are key pieces to the NFL’s best defense in scoring and overall.
Texans Reshaping Roster on the Fly
GettySolomon Byrd #50 of the Houston Texans looks to make a play against the Carolina Panthers.
None of the trio Ryans mentioned has missed any game time this season. Anderson was notably absent from practice early in Week 13 before returning to finish it out. The Texans did add cornerback Ameer Speed and edge rusher Solomon Byrd to their 53-man roster.
They signed both from their own practice squad. However, at least in Speed’s case, the move addresses pre-existing injury concerns.
Brown, a starter in every game since he re-signed in October, was not among Ryans’ mentions.
He has been a key to what the Texans feel is their best offensive line combination, allowing them to move Week 1 right tackle Tytus Howard to left guard, a move solidified by the release of 2021 Pro Bowler Laken Tomlinson this week.
Keeping Lassiter on the field is critical. The Texans have made multiple changes to their secondary around him, fellow corner Derek Stingley Jr., and safety Calen Bullock.
Nickelback Jalen Pitre returned from a three-week, concussion-related absence in Week 13.
That should help settle things as they break in another safety opposite Bullock at the last line of defense. Still, not having to make further adjustments in Anderson and Lassiter’s respective places would be a boon for the Texans.
Texans Looking to Get Back at Chiefs
GettyHouston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans looks on against the Tennessee Titans.
The Texans are looking to continue their push toward the postseason, but also exact a measure of revenge against the Chiefs in Week 14.
The Chiefs eliminated Ryans’ Texans in the AFC Divisional Playoffs in 2024.
Neither team has gotten off to the start they anticipated, and their chances of making the postseason will swing wildly depending on whether they emerge as the victors or head back to the drawing board.
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