Texans Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil, veteran safety Jimmie Ward practicing, Jalen Pitre remains sidelined

HOUSTON – The injury-riddled Texans were overdue for some good news regarding their collective health.

And Pro Bowl left offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil returned to practice Wednesday on a limited basis after missing Sunday’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts with a knee injury.

“It was good seeing Laremy back out at practice today,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “We’ll see how he continues to progress throughout the week.”

Having Tunsil back is a major boost to the Texans’ offense, especially rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud who has been an NFL-high sacked 11 times and hit 19 times overall. The Texans struggled in pass protection without Tunsil against the Colts on Sunday as Stroud was sacked six times and hit 10 times while passing for 384 yards. And Tunsil, the highest paid offensive lineman in the game again after negotiating a three-year, $75 million contract extension this offseason, was the highest-rated pass protector in the league last season.

Plus, veteran safety Jimmie Ward practiced for the first time since injuring his hip in the preseason against the New Orleans Saints and missing the first two games of the season. Ward, who was also limited, has the flexibility to play nickel, too, and the Texans are playing without their regular nickel Tavierre Thomas. Thomas underwent successful surgery for a broken hand on Tuesday morning and is niot, according to a league source.

Ryans, though, indicated that Ward will play safety Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Grayland Arnold will be the replacement for Thomas at nickel.

“Jimmie will be a safety for us,” Ryans said.

Arnold is a former undrafted free agent and second-team All-Big 12 selection from Baylor”

“Grayland has earned the right to get the reps,” Ryans said. “Grayland has been with us from the start, every day. Grayland is a hard worker. He’s there, he’s dialed into what we are asking him to do. Grayland is a good football player. He flies around, plays hysical. I know Grayland will do well with the role.”

Safety Jalen Pitre, a team captain who led the Texans with 147 tackles and five interceptions as a rookie last season, remains out with a bruised lung. The Texans are exercising caution with the Stafford graduate, a second-round draft pick and former Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year at Baylor. He could return in the next few weeks.

“Yeah, encouraging with Jalen, feeling really good,” Ryans said. “Jalen is in good spirits. It’s great having him out. It’s great energy in the meetings and practice. Jalen has been a great leader for us, even though he hasn’t been out there physically on gameday, but he’s been leading throughout the week.

“That’s why Jalen is a special young man, and I’m happy to coach him because he brings everything that you want from a leader to the team. So, encouraged with him and encouraged with his process and on his way back. I think he will be good to go here pretty soon.

Safety Eric Murray, who has started the past two games, suffered a concussion against the Colts. While he remains under the NFL concussion protocol, Murray practiced Wednesday and that’s regarded as an encouraging sign.

Starting linebacker Denzel Perryman (hand-wrist) didn’t practice. The following players were limited: wide receiver Tank Dell (thigh), offensive tackle George Fant (ankle, knee), defensive end Jonathan Greenard (knee), quarterback C.J. Stroud (right shoulder), who indicated he feels fine and wide receiver Robert Woods, who was given a rest day for the second Wednesday in a row.

“I feel good,” Stroud said. “Football is a physical sport and that’s what I signed up for, but my body is fine. I’ll be all right.”

Stroud had an AC joint sprain as a redshirt freshman against the University of Minnesota. He played one week later.

“I did a lot of the same things I kind of did for this injury that I had now, just to get back feeling right,” Stroud said. “When you’re playing, your adrenaline usually takes away the pain, so that helped a lot. I feel almost 100 percent.”

The Texans face Jaguars standout quarterback Trevor Lawrence and wide receiver Calvin Ridley on Sunday.

“Lawrence gets the ball our really quickly, I think fastest in the NFL,” Ryans said. “We have to be tight in our coverage and we have to tackle well in space. Ball is going to be out, the space, the RPOs, the screens, we know it’s coming. Now, we have tot make sure we’re on our job, details, setting the edge, making the ball cut back inside and our guys are running.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.