Texans’ Noah Brown designated for return with Tank Dell sidelined with concussion, Laremy Tunsil didn’t practice

HOUSTON – Texans veteran wide receiver Noah Brown returned to practice Wednesday morning after being designated for return from injured reserve after recovering from a groin injury.

A former Dallas Cowboys starter, Brown, 27, has three catches for 20 yards this season and 85 career receptions for 1,000 yards and three touchdowns.

Brown is back as rookie wide receiver Tank Dell remains in the concussion protocol after landing on his head during a 21-19 loss to the Atlanta Falcons and leaving the game. Dell caught three passes for 57 yard against Atlanta. Dell didn’t practice Wednesday. Although he has been feeling better and making progress in his recovery, he is not currently expected to play Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, per a league source. The Texans will primarily lean on Nico Collins, Robert Woods, John Metchie III, Xavier Hutchinson and, potentially, Brown if he’s activated.

“Yeah, it’s tough,” Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud said. “I wish Tank was out there, man. He’s definitely one of our best receivers. Great player, and me and him have a special, special future to come, but just like somebody goes down, next man up.

‘Somebody else has got to be ready and I feel like we answered the bell when it came to that on Sunday, and now we’ve got to do it again. I think maybe even Tank might play. I’m not sure what’s really going on, so you never know what could happen. He might be able to play, so whatever happens, I know whoever steps up, we’ll be ready.”

Pro Bowl left offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil attended practice, but isn’t participating Wednesday as the team manages his lingering knee injury. Tunsil returned to play against the Falcons after being out for three games. Tunsil didn’t experience any setbacks and is currently expected to play Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. If Tunsil can’t go, Josh Jones would replace him. Jones missed the Falcons game two weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a torn thumb ligament. Jones participated fully.

Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (abdomen), cornerback Shaq Griffin (calf) and Woods (ribs) all didn’t practice.

Second-year linebacker Christian Harris returned to practice on a limited basis after missing the Falcons game with a concussion. With Harris back, the Texans have the option of having him play Will linebacker again with Denzel Perryman shifting there from his normal Mike linebacker spot against the Falcons with mixed results. Henry To’oTo’o played Mike linebacker against Atlanta with Blake Cashman starting at Sam linebacker. Cashman was limited with a wrist injury.

Griffin isn’t practicing due to a calf injury that kept him out against the Falcons with Kadar Hollman delivering a solid performance in his place as the outside corner opposite Steven Nelson. There is optimism Griffin could return to practice as soon as Thursday, per a league source.

The Texans signed veteran corner Jason Verrett, a former Chargers first-round draft pick who tore his Achilles last season while playing for DeMeco Ryans with the San Francisco 49ers. Verrett looked good in drills Wednesday. He has a significant injury history, but is a talented defensive back who has 145 career tackles and seven interceptions.

Verrett started 13 games for the 49ers in 2020 and recorded 60 tackles, two interceptions and seven passes defensed.

Offensive tackle George Fant (hip, shoulder) was limited along with offensive guard Shaq Mason (ankle).

Tytus Howard, who remains at left guard, participated fully in his second week back from hand surgery along with Jones, Brown, linebacker Denzel Perryman (broken hand, wrist) and nickel Tavierre Thomas (hand surgery.)

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