Texans Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil, Shaq Griffin, Maliek Collins, Robert Woods return to practice

HOUSTON – Texans Pro Bowl left offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil returned to practice after his lingering knee injury was rested Wednesday. It’s a sign of how the Texans intend to manage Tunsil’s medical condition after he had a similar cycle of participation a week ago before returning to play against the Atlanta Falcons after missing the previous three games.

Tunsil and left offensive guard Tytus Howard played their first game together against Atlanta and are a potentially formidable blocking tandem after both excelled last year. Tunsil is signed to a three-year, $75 million extension, and Howard is playing under a three-year, $56 million deal as they make up a $131 million left side of the offensive line.

Tunsil was limited in practice Thursday.

Meanwhile, starting cornerback Shaq Griffin returned to practice, as expected, from a strained calf that sidelined him against the Atlanta Falcons. If Griffin is able to practice all week without any setbacks, he should be able to play Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. Griffin said he’s full-go and he participated fully.

Defensive tackle Maliek Collins returned to practice and participated fully after being rested Wednesday due to an abdomen muscular injury that prevented him from practicing twice last week. He started against the Falcons.

Wide receiver Robert Woods practiced Thursday on a limited basis after being held out Wednesday due to a rib injury suffered against the Falcons.

Rookie wide receiver Tank Dell didn’t practice and remains under the NFL concussion protocol. Although Dell is feeling much better, he is not expected to play Sunday, per league sources.

Linebacker Christian Harris (concussion) was limited.

The following players participated fully: wide receiver Noah Brown (groin), linebacker Blake Cashman (wrist), Collins, offensive tackle George Fant (hip, shoulder), Griffin, Howard (hand surgery), offensive tackle Josh Jones (thumb ligament surgery), offensive guard Shaq Mason (ankle), linebacker Denzel Perryman (hand, wrist) and nickel Tavierre Thomas (hand surgery).

Veteran wide receiver Noah Brown returned to practice Wednesday morning after being designated for return from injured reserve after recovering from a groin injury. He has participated fully the past two days.

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.

Dell caught three passes for 57 yard against Atlanta. The Texans will primarily lean on Nico Collins, 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.”

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