The Houston Texans opened the injured reserve return windows for linebacker Henry To’oTo’o and defensive back Ja’Marcus Ingram on Wednesday, and both players were back on the practice field as the team began preparing for Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London.
The designations start a 21-day clock for each player. Houston can add either one to the 53-man roster at any point in that window, and if it does not act by the end of the 21 days, the player reverts to season-ending injured reserve. Both were listed as limited on Wednesday’s injury report, To’oTo’o with a shoulder injury and Ingram with an elbow injury.
To’oTo’o ahead of schedule
To’oTo’o played most of Houston’s season-opening loss to the Buffalo Bills before leaving late in the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury. The early estimate had him missing about eight weeks. He has missed four games, so a return this month would put him ahead of that timeline. General manager Nick Caserio said in a radio interview with Seth Payne and Sean Pendergast on Wednesday morning that the linebacker’s window would open that day, and Aaron Wilson reported that To’oTo’o had made a sound recovery.
The 25-year-old signed a two-year, $16 million extension in August. He was a fifth-round pick out of Alabama in 2023, and he has started 30 of his 33 appearances since the start of his second season, averaging 100 tackles a year in 2024 and 2025.
Jake Hansen has filled the gap. He leads Texans linebackers with 265 defensive snaps and has 32 tackles, a sack and an interception. Veteran Kenneth Murray, added to the practice squad after To’oTo’o went on injured reserve, has been elevated for each of the last two games. Azeez Al-Shaair did not practice on Wednesday because of a groin injury, which makes To’oTo’o’s return more urgent going into the London trip.
Ingram back after the preseason injury
Ingram has been on injured reserve with a return designation since August 30, after he got hurt in Houston’s preseason opener against the Los Angeles Chargers on August 13. Wilson reported that he has recovered from a dislocated elbow. Ingram signed a one-year contract with the Texans in March, after appearing in 11 regular-season games for the Bills and Texans last season, with 12 tackles and two pass breakups.
A busy Wednesday in Houston
The two designations came on the same day Houston activated right tackle Braden Smith from injured reserve, signed quarterback Mark Gronowski and receiver Bryce Oliver to the practice squad and waived edge rusher Chris Braswell. Receiver Tank Dell, whose window opened on October 7, was a full participant for the first time since his 2024 knee injury.
What’s next
The 1-4 Texans face the Jaguars at 9:30 a.m. EDT on Sunday. Houston has until November 4 to activate either player before his window closes. Thursday’s and Friday’s practice reports will show whether To’oTo’o, Ingram or both can go in London.
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