Texans injury updates: Laremy Tunsil (ankle), Azeez Al-Shaair (knee), Henry To’oTo’o (concussion)

FOXBOROUGH. Mass. – Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair left the game Sunday with a knee injury, eventually ruled out after initially going back into the game and then being replaced by backup Neville Hewitt.

Al-Shaair, signed to a three-year, $34 million contract during free agency, has been one of the Texans’ top defensive players and was voted a team captain. Al-Shaair, before going back in the game in the second half, ran on the sidelines under the supervision of trainers.

Al-Shaair, who finished with three tackles and forced one fumble, was replaced by Hewitt and he had seven tackles. After the game, Al-Shaair was limping and walking under his own power.

“Yeah, Azeez is getting evaluated with a knee,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He tried to come back, but we’ll see how he progresses throughout the week.”

Texans Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil aggravated a lingering ankle injury and was replaced by rookie offensive tackle Blake Fisher. Tunsil’s injury is not regarded as serious and will continue to be managed throughout the week.

Texans starting linebacker Henry To’oTo’o, who entered Sunday as the team’s leading tackler, is in the NFL concussion protocol after suffering a head injury late in the game.

If To’oTo’o and Al-Shaair are unavailable for Sunday’s road game against the Green Bay Packers, the Texans’ immediate options include Hewitt, Jake Hansen and Del’Shawn Phillips. Christian Harris has not been designated for return yet from a strained calf that has kept him out since he re-injured it during training camp. Once Harris returns, he will likely need a ramp-up week to get back into playing shape before he is activated to play in his first game of the season.

Read more on the Texans:

• How Texans’ Azeez Al-Shaair overcame an awful, sleepless night of vomiting, profuse sweating with an inspirational game
• Sources: Texans rookie starting corner Kamari Lassiter expected to miss multiple games with scapula injury
• ‘We have a lot of horses in the stable,’ Texans’ Stefon Diggs a focal point in matchup with Patriots, Christian Gonzalez
• Sources: Texans corner D’Angelo Ross slated to start against Patriots as replacement for injured rookie Kamari Lassiter
• Texans’ Joe Mixon practices again, expected to play Sunday, Kamari Lassiter, Jimmie Ward out this week

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

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