Texans players Jonathan Greenard, Noah Brown, Robert Woods remain sidelined during light Tuesday practice

HOUSTON – The Texans conducted a light walkthrough practice Tuesday that included multiple injured players and key veterans being rested.

That is the usual routine for the Texans who were shorthanded against the Indianapolis Colts. However, they’re guardedly optimistic about getting some reinforcements back for an AFC wild-card playoff game against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday.

The following players didn’t practice Tuesday during the portion open to reporters:

• Wide receivers Noah Brown (back, transverse process fracture) and Robert Woods (hip)
• Defensive ends Jonathan Greenard (Grade 1 ankle sprain), Jerry Hughes (sprained ankle, X-rays negative), and Will Anderson Jr. (high-ankle sprain, rest)
• Defensive tackles Maliek Collins (hip-core, rest) and Sheldon Rankins (shoulder, rest)
• Pro Bowl left offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (knee, rest)
• Offensive guard Shaq Mason (rest).

Fullback Andrew Beck (calf) was limited s well as center Michael Deiter (elbow).

The wide receiver position is the area of greatest concern as Woods and Brown missed the Colts game with back and hip injuries, respectively.

Woods was a true game-time decision, per sources, and he attempted to warm up and didn’t have sufficient mobility to play. He should have an improved chance of play Saturday night.

Brown is recovering from a painful transverse process fracture injury, but is making progress, per sources.

Greenard sprained his ankle against the Browns on Christmas Eve and has made steady improvements and is not ruled out for returning against Cleveland, per sources. He has a legitimate shot at playing, one source emphasized.

Anderson Jr. is already playing hurt the past two weeks with a high-ankle sprain and had two sacks in a dozen snaps two games ago against the Tennessee Titans. He did not aggravate his injury against Indianapolis, but his mobility is obviously hindered. He is expected to play Saturday.

Collins returned against the Colts, played well from a core muscle injury and is expected to play against the Browns.

Fullback Andrew Beck returned from a calf injury to catch a touchdown pass against the Colts.

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Rankins was back from an ankle injury against the Colts.

Tunsil continues to manage to play every week despite a painful knee injury that has been drained a few times already this season. “Nothing new right now,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday during a press conference at NRG Stadium. “We’ll see where our guys end up by the end of the week. Hopefully we get some guys back. Hopefully they continue to progress. We would love to have some of our guys back to help because we need all the guys we can get. We’d love to have them back.

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