Houston Texans: Place Standout Run Defender on IR Ahead of Week 2
· Yahoo Sports
Injuries continue to pile up in the Houston Texans’ off-ball linebacker room. E.J. Speed is expected to miss the entire 2026 season after suffering a severe quadriceps tear during a May workout. Jake Hummel suffered a groin injury during the third quarter of Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills and is week-to-week. Meanwhile, Henry To’oTo’o exited late in the fourth quarter with an apparent shoulder injury and was spotted wearing a splint. DeMeco Ryans said To’oTo’o is expected to miss significant time and did not rule out placing him on injured reserve.
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The Houston Texans place a standout run defender on IR ahead of Week 2
Nov 20, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans linebacker Henry To’oTo’o (39) sacks Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) in the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn ImagesAccording to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 and Sports Talk 790 on Monday night, the Texans were expected to place Henry To’oTo’o on injured reserve, making the news official on Tuesday. As Wilson points out, To’oTo’o is expected to miss a few months, well beyond the minimum four-game absence for a player placed on IR. The underrated linebacker’s absence will be a major blow to the run defense.
Who replaces him?
Oct 15, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; General view of a Crucial Catch logo on the helmet of Houston Texans wide receiver Robert Woods (2) before the game against the New Orleans Saints at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY SportsSpecial teams ace Jake Hansen is expected to take over as a starting linebacker alongside Pro Bowler Azeez Al-Shaair. Hansen filled in for To’oTo’o for the remainder of Week 1, logging seven defensive snaps. He has some starting experience, making four starts and logging 391 defensive snaps across his first five NFL seasons.
Meanwhile, Wade Woodaz could take over as the team’s No. 3 linebacker and play on base defense. Woodaz did not play on defense in Week 1 but logged 22 special teams snaps. The fourth-round pick is battling a thumb injury he suffered in the preseason that required surgery, and he is currently wearing a protective brace.
In addition, seventh-round pick Aidan Fisher could be active in Week 2 after being a healthy scratch, and Jamal Hill could be promoted from the practice squad to the active roster.
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