Linebackers Azeez Al-Shaair and Henry To’oTo’o, cornerback Kamari Lassiter and safety Jimmie Ward are all officially out for Sunday’s matchup against the Green Bay Packers, according to the team’s Friday injury report. Defensive tackle Mario Edwards will also start serving his four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
Al-Shaair and To’oTo’o were both injured in Houston’s Week 6 win over the New England Patriots. Al-Shaair left the game in the first half with a knee injury, returning briefly in the second half before eventually being ruled out. He did not practice all week.
To’oTo’o exited the game late in the fourth quarter after making a tackle on a punt return. He entered the league’s concussion protocol shortly after and has remained in it since.
The duo has started all six games for the Texans at their two linebacker spots this season and are the team’s leaders in total tackles. Neville Hewitt and Jake Hansen replaced them Sunday and have been taking first-team reps in practice, making them likely to fill both roles against the Packers. Coach DeMeco Ryans has confidence that his defense won’t lose a step when they’re called into action.
“Neville and Jake have been here with us for a while,” Ryans said. “They have gotten a lot of reps. They know how we play, they know what to expect, they know how to communicate. It is nothing new to them. If they have to go out and give snaps, I feel confident in those guys being able to step up and help us.”
Hewitt finished the Patriots game tied for the team lead with eight solo tackles, while Hansen had four.
Defensive backs Lassiter (shoulder) and Ward (groin) remain sidelined for the second consecutive week as both missed the Patriots game. D’Angelo Ross filled in at corner for Lassiter, while Eric Murray and Calen Bullock manned the safety slots in absence of Ward.
The Texans could also be without their other starting defensive tackle in Foley Fatukasi (shoulder), who’s listed as questionable. Fatukasi did not practice Wednesday or Thursday this week but logged limited participation Friday. Houston does have added reinforcement at the position however, as Denico Autry returned from his six-game suspension and Kurt Hinish was activated from injured reserve this week.
On offense, running back Joe Mixon and left tackle Laremy Tunsil carry no injury designations into Sunday after being limited with ankle injuries.
Mixon rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown in his return against New England and added a receiving score. He missed the three games prior after injuring his ankle Week 2 against the Bears because of an illegal hip drop tackle.
Tunsil reaggravated his ankle injury against the Patriots, left the game and did not return. But he practiced with no limitations the past two days and is fully healthy for Sunday.
Houston does get thinner at receiver/returner as Robert Woods (foot) is out and Steven Sims Jr. (back) is questionable. The duo are the only players to return kicks and punts so far this season for the Texans. If Sims can’t play, the Texans will likely call on receivers Xavier Hutchinson or Tank Dell to line up deep on special teams.
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