The Houston Texans held four players out of Wednesday’s practice as they prepared for Sunday’s AFC South game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London. Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (groin) and right tackle Trent Brown (knee) joined running back David Montgomery (groin) and safety Jalen Pitre (shoulder) as non-participants.
Houston (1-4) and Jacksonville (4-1) kick off Sunday, October 18, at 9:30 a.m. EDT on NFL Network. It is the Jaguars’ second straight game in London after their 19-17 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Texans: Montgomery and Pitre still week to week
Montgomery and Pitre missing practice was expected. Coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday that both are week to week after they were hurt in the 26-3 win over the Tennessee Titans. Pitre has an AC joint sprain in his shoulder that does not need surgery. Woody Marks, who ran 15 times for 62 yards in Nashville after Montgomery left early, is set to lead the backfield again.
Al-Shaair and Brown are the newer names. Both have been dealing with nagging injuries over the past couple of weeks but played against Tennessee, so Wednesday’s absences may be about managing them before the overseas trip. Thursday and Friday will show whether either is in danger of missing the game.
Henry To’oTo’o (shoulder) was limited in his first practice since Houston opened his 21-day return window Wednesday. He has been on injured reserve since hurting the shoulder in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills. Receiver Tank Dell (knee) was a full participant while in his own return window as he comes back from the knee injury that ended his 2024 season. Neither has been activated yet. Houston has already activated tackle Braden Smith from IR this week.
Star players Will Anderson Jr., Nico Collins and Dalton Schultz were limited on rest days, along with defensive end Logan Hall. Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (knee) and cornerback Ja’Marcus Ingram (elbow) were also limited, and linebacker Wade Woodaz (thumb) was full.
Jaguars: Montaric Brown sits, secondary thin
Cornerback Montaric Brown (hamstring) and long snapper Ross Matiscik (shoulder) did not practice for Jacksonville. Brown has been dealing with the hamstring for a few games. Matiscik hurt his shoulder against the Eagles, and the Jaguars have already signed long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer as cover.
Four more defensive backs were limited: safety Eric Murray (concussion) and cornerbacks Jourdan Lewis (hamstring), Jaylon Jones (hamstring) and Jarrian Jones (elbow). Murray has not yet cleared the concussion protocol. Up front, right tackle Cole Van Lanen (knee) and left guard Emmanuel Pregnon (toe) were limited on a line already without left tackle Anton Harrison, who is on injured reserve after knee surgery. Walker Little is next up at left tackle. Rookie tight end Nate Boerkircher (back) was also limited.
Wednesday’s practice reports
- Texans, did not practice: LB Azeez Al-Shaair (groin), OT Trent Brown (knee), RB David Montgomery (groin), S Jalen Pitre (shoulder)
- Texans, limited: DE Will Anderson Jr. (rest), DE Jadeveon Clowney (knee), WR Nico Collins (rest), DE Logan Hall (rest), CB Ja’Marcus Ingram (elbow), TE Dalton Schultz (rest), LB Henry To’oTo’o (shoulder)
- Texans, full: WR Tank Dell (knee), LB Wade Woodaz (thumb)
- Jaguars, did not practice: CB Montaric Brown (hamstring), LS Ross Matiscik (shoulder)
- Jaguars, limited: TE Nate Boerkircher (back), CB Jarrian Jones (elbow), CB Jaylon Jones (hamstring), CB Jourdan Lewis (hamstring), S Eric Murray (concussion), G Emmanuel Pregnon (toe), OT Cole Van Lanen (knee)
What comes next
Thursday’s report will show whether Al-Shaair and Trent Brown get back on the field before Houston flies out. For Jacksonville, the cornerback group matters most: with Brown out and three other corners limited, Houston’s receivers, led by Collins, could find room if more of the Jaguars’ defensive backs fail to clear by Friday.
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