The Houston Texans issued their final injury report of the week, and it confirmed the good news that cornerback Kamari Lassiter had indeed returned to the practice field on Friday, albeit in a limited capacity.
The Texans prepare to visit the Kansas City Chiefs on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 14.
Lassiter missed the first two practices of the week. However, the encouraging update about the second-year defender did not stop there.
Texans’ Kamari Lassiter Trending in Right Direction for Chiefs Game
GettyDerek Stingley Jr. #24 of the Houston Texans celebrates with Kamari Lassiter #4 after making an interception against the Miami Dolphins.
The Texans selected Lassiter, 22, with the No. 42 overall pick of the 2024 draft, and he has teamed with former first-round pick Derek Stingley Jr. (No. 3 overall in 2022) to form one of the best cornerback tandems in the league.
Lassiter’s absence from practice to start the week drew plenty of attention, as did his return and the Texans’ decision to list him as questionable on their final injury report of the week.
KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson added to the encouraging trend for Lassiter.
“There is some optimism about #Texans corner Kamari Lassiter (foot) being available for Sunday against #Chiefs,” Wilson reported on X on December 5. “Team will continue to evaluate his progress leading up to kickoff and make a final decision on his status.”
Wilson wrote in a follow-up report that “optimism is growing for his potential availability Sunday night against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Wilson also added that “Lassiter is determined to play and is making progress.”
Lassiter has 66 total tackles, 10 pass deflections, and 2 interceptions this season. He has started all 12 of the Texans’ games to this point. He had 58 combined stops, 10 PDs, and 3 INTs in 14 games as a rookie in 2024.
Texans HC DeMeco Ryans Took Wait-&-See Approach With Injured CB
GettyKamari Lassiter #4 of the Houston Texans looks on against the New York Jets.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans previously took a cautiously optimistic approach with Lassiter earlier in the week.
“Kamari, Woody [Marks], Will [Anderson], they’ll all be fine,” Ryans told reporters during his first media availability of Week 14 on December 3, after all three players missed practice. “We’ll see how the week goes.”
Anderson and Marks were DNPs to start the week, but they logged full sessions on Friday.
Adding to the uncertainty around Lassiter, the Texans claimed Ja’Marcus Ingram off waivers from the Buffalo Bills on Thursday. Because of how they acquired him, Ingram is on the Texans’ active roster.
However, he is a long shot to play, though, given how little time he has had to learn the playbook. That makes Lassiter’s status even more critical.
Chiefs Rule Out OL
GettyHouston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans walks out of the tunnel before a game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Working in Lassiter and the Texans’ favor, the Chiefs have ruled starting right guard Trey Smith and starting right tackle Jawaan Taylor doubtful for the contest on their final injury report. They will already be without left tackle Josh Simmons, who is on injured reserve with a wrist injury.
Reserve cornerback Chris Roland-Wallace and wide receiver/return specialist Nikko Remigio are the only other Chiefs players with injury designations for this contest.
Both are out.
This is a significant opportunity for the Texans. The Chiefs eliminated the Texans from the postseason in the 2024 AFC Divisional Playoffs. The Texans must be sharper this time around, regardless of whether or not Lassiter ends up playing.
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