Houston will be without Jake Hummel for at least four games after placing the linebacker on injured reserve before its Week 3 matchup with the Indianapolis Colts. The groin injury occurred in the Texans' previous game against Cincinnati, and Hummel missed six straight team practices. His absence also covers Week 4 at home against Dallas, followed by road games against Tennessee and Jacksonville in London.
The move leaves Houston with four linebackers on either injured reserve or the physically unable-to-perform list before the season reaches its third game. E.J. Speed has a significant quad injury from the offseason that could sideline him throughout 2026.
K.C. Ossai opened the season on injured reserve, while Henry To'oTo'o went there after a shoulder injury in the fourth quarter of Houston's Week 1 game against Buffalo.
Hummel has mainly played special teams and has 150 defensive snaps in his career. The Texans' 53-man roster now includes Aiden Fisher, Wade Woodaz, Jamal Hill, Jake Hansen and Azeez Al-Shaair at linebacker. Hill was recently elevated from the practice squad.
First-year picks Woodaz and Fisher could see more work over the next four games, with Woodaz's responsibilities potentially expanding on defense and special teams after his July and August work. Houston could add or elevate another linebacker, but Kenneth Murray, a former Dallas linebacker on the practice squad, was unavailable for the Colts game because the team had already used its elevations.
