NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Texans approach to a regular-season finale with no playoff implications for the AFC South champions, opted to proceed cautiously with two key defensive starters.
Defensive end Will Anderson Jr., last year’s NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowl alternate this year after being selected last year, is officially ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans.
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#Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr., gets ready for final regular season game of the Year against #Titans pic.twitter.com/JnqZMFTjQG
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) January 5, 2025
And linebacker Christian Harris, who was listed as questionable with an ankle injury, is also out for this game after practicing on a limited basis. Had this been a playoff game, like the fourth-seeded Texans’ upcoming game against either the Pittsburgh Steelers or Los Angeles Chargers, in the AFC wild-card round, both players would have played.
The Texans’ other starters are active except for defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi, out with an ankle injury, and right guard Shaq Mason, who has a Grade 2 sprained medial collateral ligament, per league sources.
The Texans also ruled out cornerback Jeff Okudah due to a concussion, defensive end Denico Autry with a lingering knee injury and guard Nick Broeker.
#Texans players getting ready for game in chilly Nashville, light rain currently @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/oJ3PWTMdeW
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) January 5, 2025
Mason, injured against the Kansas City Chiefs, had an original recovery time estimated at three to four weeks, per league sources.
Autry has played in games after not practicing all week in the past, but sitting out against his former team and resting up for the playoffs makes too much sense.
Okudah practiced once on a limited basis this week and is in the NFL concussion protocol.
Fatukasi has an ankle injury and has been limited to 11 games this season with 34 tackles, four for losses, and one sack.
Starting right guard Juice Scruggs is back from a foot injury as he’ll return to action Sunday against the Titans after getting hurt against the Jacksonville Jaguars and missing the past three games. He replaces Mason on the right side next to rookie right tackle Blake Fisher with Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil and left guard Tytus Howard playing next to each other in addition to center Jarrett Patterson.
That’s likely the Texans’ offensive line configuration for the playoffs.
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.
