atlanta – Texans offensive lineman Titus Howard is officially back from injured reserve and will line up at left guard against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
Texans Pro Bowl left offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil was promoted to full capacity on Friday after being restricted on Wednesday and Thursday and is likely to play on Sunday, league officials reported.
Tunsil had missed the past three games with knee pain and swelling. Tunsil and Howard both indicated on social media that they plan to play Sunday. In that scenario, Tunsil would line up next to Howard on the left side.
“That one-two punch is deadly,” Howard said of playing next to Tunsil.
Current expected offensive line composition: LT Tunsil, LG Howard, C Jarrett Patterson, RG Shaq Mason, RT George Fant.
Tunsil is officially questionable, along with wide receiver John Metchie III (illness), cornerback Shaq Griffin (calf), linebacker Jake Hansen (neck) and defensive tackle Maliek Collins (abdominal). listed as.
Griffin was considered a game-time decision, league officials said. If Griffin is limited or unable to play, Kadar Holman is the top choice to line up opposite standout cornerback Steven Nelson. The Texans promoted cornerback D’Angelo Ross from the practice squad, re-signed defensive end Derek Rivers from the practice squad and released defensive tackle Taylor Stallworth from the practice squad.
The Texans placed punter Cameron Johnston on injured reserve and promoted linebacker Garrett Wallow after starting linebacker Christian Harris was sidelined with a concussion suffered in practice.
With Harris out, the Texans are expected to use Denzel Perryman, Blake Cashman and Henry Tootoo as the starting linebackers.
The Texans ruled offensive lineman Josh Jones out a week after undergoing thumb surgery to repair a torn ligament, according to league officials.
Collins missed Wednesday and Thursday with a muscle issue, but returned to practice Friday morning. He is scheduled to play a full game on Sunday.
With Collins back and acquiring a key starting interior lineman, the Texans have a road game against the Atlanta Falcons’ run-first offense headlined by former University of Texas consensus All-American rookie star Bijan Robinson. The momentum to face the issue has increased.
The 28-year-old Collins, who signed a two-year, $23 million contract extension this offseason, has five tackles, six pressures and four quarterback hits through four games.
The Texans used Austin DeCruz and Jeron Christian at left tackle and Fant at right tackle against the Pittsburgh Steelers, blocking TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith while allowing zero sacks.
Perryman practiced again Friday, switching from the red club in his broken hand to a blue one. Perryman has the flexibility to play either Will or Mike linebacker, and the Texans have options for him and rookie Henry Tootoo.
The Texans upgraded offensive guard Shaq Mason (ankle) and running back Dameon Pierce (knee) to full capacity, and both are scheduled to play Sunday.
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.
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