Texans’ Final Injury Report Sets the Stage for a Season-Defining Battle With Titans

The Houston Texans will not have Tank Dell for Sunday’s trip to Nashville, but they could get something just as important for an 0-4 football team: a healthier defense and additional help in the trenches. Houston’s final Week 5 injury report ruled Dell out, while Will Anderson Jr. and Azeez Al-Shaair finished the week as full participants and carry no game designation ahead of a potentially season-altering AFC South matchup with the Tennessee Titans. 

At this point, Houston does not need another encouraging performance. It needs its first victory.

Dell returned to practice this week after Houston opened his 21-day practice window Tuesday. It was another major milestone in his long recovery, but the Texans wisely are not rushing the process.

Dell was limited Wednesday and Thursday before sitting out Friday and being officially ruled out against Tennessee. 

That is the right decision.

Houston’s record creates urgency, but Dell’s knee should operate on its own timetable. The Texans already have Nico Collins, Jaylin Noel, Kayshon Boutte and Xavier Hutchinson available to C.J. Stroud.

Dell can make that group more explosive when he is ready. Sunday does not have to be that day.

The more important development this weekend may be the health of Houston’s defense.

Anderson did not practice Wednesday because of an ankle injury, improved to limited participation Thursday and practiced fully Friday. Al-Shaair, who missed last week’s 34-30 loss to Dallas because of a groin injury, also finished Friday as a full participant with no game designation. 

Kaden McDaniel and M.J. Stewart have also been activated to the active roster. That is significant with coach DeMeco Ryans taking back defensive play-calling duties.

Houston allowed Dallas to score 28 points after halftime last Sunday, including the decisive 74-yard touchdown drive after the Texans had taken a 30-27 lead with 2:23 remaining.

If Ryans wants a more aggressive, connected defense, having Anderson and Al-Shaair available certainly helps.

Logan Hall and Jamal Hill also finished the week as full participants without game designations. Jadeveon Clowney did not practice Friday, but his listing included knee/rest and he received no game designation. 

The pieces are there. Now Houston has to make them work together.

The biggest concern on Houston’s final report sits along the offensive line.

Tackles Aireontae Ersery and Blake Fisher and guard Ed Ingram are questionable because of illnesses. Ersery missed both Thursday and Friday, while Fisher and Ingram were limited Friday. Veteran tackle Braden Smith, whose practice window opened alongside Dell’s this week, is questionable with a foot injury after practicing fully Thursday and Friday. 

That situation matters because Stroud finally appeared to find his rhythm against Dallas.

Houston’s quarterback enters Week 5 with an NFL-best streak of 154 consecutive passes without an interception. He has thrown for 1,141 yards, five touchdowns and zero interceptions this season. 

The Texans should be building around that momentum, not asking Stroud to survive constant pressure because the offensive line cannot settle into a functional combination.

The Titans have their own injury issues.

Starting safety Amani Hooker has been ruled out after failing to clear concussion protocol. Receiver Carnell Tate is questionable with a back injury after being limited Thursday and Friday, while tight end David Martin-Robinson and cornerback Joshua Williams are also questionable. 

Tate’s status is particularly important after his nine-catch, 145-yard performance against Baltimore last week.

Houston just watched CeeDee Lamb catch 17 passes for 189 yards. Whether Tate plays or not, the Texans cannot afford another afternoon in which one receiver repeatedly finds the same weaknesses.

On the positive side for Tennessee, defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons and running back Tony Pollard both progressed to full participation Friday and have no game designations. 

So Houston should expect Tennessee’s best available version.

There is a strange familiarity surrounding this matchup.

The Texans and Titans enter Sunday at 0-4, and their all-time series is tied 24-24 entering the 49th regular-season meeting. 

Houston faced a similar situation last season. The Texans entered their 2025 Week 4 meeting with Tennessee winless, beat the Titans and then won 11 of their final 13 games to finish 12-5. 

That does not mean another turnaround is guaranteed. It does prove a terrible September does not automatically have to become a terrible season.

Forget the playoff calculator for one afternoon.

Forget what Houston was expected to be in August. Forget what happened against Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Dallas.

Beat Tennessee.

Stroud is protecting the football. Collins is healthy. Anderson practiced fully Friday. Al-Shaair appears ready to return. Ryans is calling the defense again.

Those are enough reasons to expect better football. The Texans visit the Titans at noon Central on Sunday, Oct. 11, at Nissan Stadium. 

One team will leave Nashville with its first victory.

For Houston, anything else would make the conversation surrounding this season considerably more uncomfortable.