The Houston Texans are making their final preparations ahead of facing the Arizona Cardinals in Week 15, and they had some encouraging developments on the practice field, specifically regarding Kamari Lassiter.
Lassiter has dealt with a foot injury for the past two weeks.
He advanced to a limited participant in Week 14 and ultimately played, and it appears he is on track to repeat that sequence.
Kamari Lassiter Returns to Texans Practice
GettyKamari Lassiter #4 of the Houston Texans looks on against the New York Jets.
Lassiter emerged from the Texans’ Week 13 win over the Indianapolis Colts with the issue, which has cost him practice time in back-to-back weeks.
Lassiter has not missed any game time, though, which is encouraging for the Texans.
“#Texans corner Kamari Lassiter @kamari_lassiter back at it Friday from foot injury,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported on X on December 12. “No setbacks from #Chiefs game and held out of practice Wednesday and Thursday.”
Lassiter appears to be following a similar pattern as last week, with maintenance a common occurrence around the league at this late stage. Wilson reported Lassiter is expected to play.
His absence would be extremely detrimental and untimely.
Lassiter is one of the best young corners in the league, with the Texans’ rising star allowing the second-lowest completion percentage (52%) to opposing QBs among all defenders to face at least 150 targets this season, per Stathead.
Texans CB Depth Tested
GettyDerek Stingley Jr. #24 of the Houston Texans celebrates with Kamari Lassiter #4 after making an interception against the Miami Dolphins.
The Texans are also thin behind Lassiter amid multiple corner and safety injuries, forcing them to use Jalen Pitre in his natural position rather than in the nickelback role, where he is an X-factor.
Tremon Smith would be the next player up opposite All-Pro Derek Stingley Jr. at corner.
Smith was a Super Bowl champion with the Chiefs as a rookie in 2018, but he has mostly been a special teams contributor during his career. Behind him, the Texans have Myles Bryant, who has occupied the nickel spot in their most recent configurations.
They also have special teamers Ameer Speed and Ja’Marcus Ingram, the latter of whom Houston claimed off waivers from the Buffalo Bills last week.
Alijah Huzzie is on the practice squad, as are veterans Damon Arnette and K’Von Wallace.
Texans Get Good News From Cardinals
While the Texans finalize their decision on Lassiter and whomever else they ultimately list on their final injury report of the week, they already know who the Cardinals have ruled out for the contest.
Among the most noteworthy are cornerback Max Melton, left tackle Paris Johnson Jr., safety Jalen Thompson, and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who are all starters for the Cardinals.
The Cardinals enter this contest at 3-10 and with no hopes of making the playoffs.
The Texans, meanwhile, are still jockeying for the AFC South crown, let alone positioning in the conference playoff field. Houston will enter Sunday’s slate of games as the No. 7 seed in the conference.
As of December 12, Lassiter and the Texans have a 91% chance of making the postseason according to the NFL’s playoff picture.
With a win, their chances rise to 94%. With a loss, they would drop to 80%.
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