The Houston Texans welcomed back All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and starting running back Woody Marks to practice on Friday, ahead of their home game against the Las Vegas Raiders scheduled for Sunday. Both players participated in limited capacity, working on the side with trainers after missing practice earlier in the week.
Stingley Jr. aggravated an oblique injury during last week’s matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, where he played a significant portion of the game. Marks exited that contest due to a sprained ankle and did not return, as Jawhar Jordan made an impactful debut, rushing for 101 yards. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans indicated that Marks could have returned to the field during the Arizona game and expressed optimism about both players’ conditions, stating they “will be fine” for the upcoming match.
Injury Updates and Roster Moves
On Thursday, cornerback Kamari Lassiter returned to practice after dealing with a foot injury, affirming, “I feel great.” Several other players also participated, including middle linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (ankle, knee), defensive end Denico Autry (knee), and offensive tackle Trent Brown (broken finger). All were limited except for Brown, who was a full participant. Running back Nick Chubb upgraded to full participation after recovering from a rib injury, having returned to practice on Wednesday.
Defensive end Darrell Taylor was designated for return from injured reserve on Wednesday and also participated fully in practice. Chubb missed the game against Arizona but has shown signs of improved health. Chubb and Jordan took initial hand-offs at practice, showcasing the Texans’ backfield options.
The Texans face challenges in depth at the defensive tackle position due to season-ending injuries to Mario Edwards Jr., Tim Settle Jr., and Foley Fatukasi. Tommy Togiai and Sheldon Rankins are set as starters, with an experienced backup in Naquan Jones. It is expected that a practice squad player will be elevated to fill the fourth defensive tackle spot for Sunday’s game.
To bolster their roster, the Texans signed Marcus Harris, a former seventh-round draft pick from Auburn, to the practice squad. They also have options to promote other players, including Haggai Ndubuisi, a 6-foot-8 international player, Junior Tafuna, and Marlon Davidson. Davidson, who has the most experience among the group, is anticipated to be the elevation from the practice squad.
As the Texans gear up for their match against the Raiders, the health and availability of key players will be crucial in determining their strategy and overall performance on the field.
