Texans rule out Jon Greenard, Noah Brown while Will Anderson Jr, Sheldon Rankins, Maliek Collins return to practice

HOUSTON – The Texans’ banged-up defensive line got some reinforcements Thursday.

Rookie defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (high-ankle sprain) returned to practice on a limited basis after being rested Tuesday and Wednesday and is expected to play in Saturday night’s pivotal AFC South showdown against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. He is listed as questionable

The Texans officially ruled out veteran defensive end Jonathan Greenard due to an ankle injury and wide receiver Noah Brown because of a back injury.

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Starting defensive tackles Maliek Collins (hip) and Sheldon Rankins (ankle) returned to practice. Rankins played Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, returning a forced fumble by Jerry Hughes for a touchdown.

Although Rankins is listed as questionable, he is expected to play.

Collins missed the Titans game, but his core injury is improving. His status for Saturday’s game is regarded as a game-time decision.

Fullback Andrew Beck, who strained his calf in practice last Friday while running a route and missed the Titans game, returned to practice. He is also regarded as a game-time decision.

Texans Pro Bowl left offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil practiced for the second day in a row after returning from a minor groin injury that cut short his game last Sunday. He is listed as questionable, but will play Saturday.

Several of those injured players may play Saturday night. A victory at Lucas Oil Stadium would assure the 9-7 Texans of qualifying for the playoffs.

Not practicing: Brown (back injury, transverse process fracture), Greenard, who leads the Texans with 12 1/2 sacks, and wide receiver Robert Woods (hip). Woods is questionable, but improving. He’s also considered a game-time decision.

Anderson returned to play a dozen snaps against the Titans, recording two sacks to set a franchise single-season rookie record of seven sacks.

Greenard has made progress since injuring his ankle against the Cleveland Browns and it isn’t regarded as a long-term recovery.

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