Texans activate Tytus Howard, Cameron Johnston, and Laremy Tunsil trending toward playing Sunday

ATLANTA – Texans offensive lineman Tytus Howard was officially activated from injured reserve-designated for return and is set to line up at left guard Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.

Texans Pro Bowl left offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil was upgraded to full participation Friday after being limited Wednesday and Thursday and he is trending toward playing Sunday, according to league sources.

Tunsil has dealt with pain and swelling in his knee and has missed the past three games. Both Tunsil and Howard indicated on social media that they plan to play Sunday. Under that scenario, Tunsil would line up next to Howard on the left side.

“That 1-2 punch will be lethal,” Howard said of playing next to Tunsil.

The current projected offensive line configuration: LT Tunsil, LG Howard, C Jarrett Patterson, RG Shaq Mason and RT George Fant.

Tunsil was officially listed as questionable along with wide receiver John Metchie III (illness), cornerback Shaq Griffin (calf), linebacker Jake Hansen (neck) and defensive tackle Maliek Collins (abdomen).

Griffin is regarded a a game-time decision, per a league source. If Griffin is limited or can’t play, Kadar Hollman is the top candidate to line up opposite standout cornerback Steven Nelson. The Texans elevated cornerback D’Angelo Ross from the practice squad, re-signed defensive end Derek Rivers from the practice squad and released defensive tackle Taylor Stallworth from the prasctice squad.

The Texans, who also activated punter Cameron Johnston from injured reserve, elevated linebacker Garret Wallow after ruling out starting linebacker Christian Harris due to a concussion he suffered in practice.

With Harris out, the Texans are expected to go with Denzel Perryman, Blake Cashman and Henry To’oTo’o as their starting linebackers.

The Texans ruled out offensive lineman Josh Jones one week after he underwent thumb surgery to repair a torn ligament, per a league source.

Collins returned to practice Friday morning from a muscle issue, that sidelined him Wednesday and Thursday. He is expected to play Sunday ater participating fully.

Having Collins back, getting a key starting interior lineman, bolsters the Texans heading into a road game against the Atlanta Falcons’ run-first offense headlined by rookie star Bijan Robinson, a former University of Texas consensus All-American.

Collins, 28, signed to a two-year, $23 million contract extension this offseason, has five tackles, six pressures and four quarterback hits through four games.

The Texans used Austin Deculus and Geron Christian at left tackle and Fant at right tackle against the Pittsburgh Steelers and they allowed zero sacks while blocking T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.

Perryman practiced again Friday, switching to a blue club from a red club on his broken hand. Perryman has the flexibility to play Will linebacker or Mike linebacker and the Texans have options with him and rookie Henry To’oTo’o.

The Texans upgraded offensive guard Shaq Mason (ankle) and running back Dameon Pierce (knee) to full participation and both are expected to play Sunday.

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