Another week, another set of injuries that could limit the Houston Texans’ offense.
During Thursday’s walkthroughs ahead of Week 2’s Monday Night Football showdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, center Jake Andrews and wide receivers Christian Kirk and Braxton Berrios did not participate in drills during the open media session. According to the team’s injury report, all three were listed as OUT during practice.
Andrews, who won the starting center job over Jarrett Patterson, injured his ankle late in the third quarter of Sunday’s road loss against the Los Angeles Rams. He was carted off the field after further evaluation in the blue medical tent and did not return to the game.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Tuesday that Andrews “rolled his ankle” and would be day-to-day, but he never gave a specific timetable on whether he’d return in time for Monday’s contest.
Kirk and Berrios, who missed Sunday’s 14-9 loss, still appear to be injured and are likely to sit out Monday’s showdown. It was reported last week that Kirk was expected to miss at least two games with a hamstring injury, but the Texans were going to be cautious on his status and not rush him back.
Ryans told reporters on Tuesday that both are “doing well on their recovery,” but there wouldn’t be a direct timetable for their return. In both of their places, rookie Jaylin Noel is expected to see more reps for a second week.
Could Ed Ingram return in time to start? Right now, that’s a possibility since the veteran lineman was listed as a limited participant on the team’s injury report. After winning the starting right guard spot in camp, Ingram missed the first game with an abdominal injury that appeared late in practice last week.
Because of Ingram’s status, the Texans shifted right tackle Tytus Howard inside to Ingram’s position, shifted left tackle Aireontae Ersery across the line to Howard’s spot and inserted Cam Robinson for Ersery on the left side. The plan backfired as both tackles struggled in pass protection and seemed confused by the overall execution.
Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at NRG Stadium.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans could be without three starters again vs. Buccaneers on MNF
Reporting by Cole Thompson, Texans Wire / Texans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
