Skip to main content
Cloudy icon
32º

Texans divisional round playoff game practice update: Azeez Al-Shaair, Shaq Mason not practicing, Juice Scruggs watches

Houston Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair (0) celebrates after making a tackle against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith) (Eric Christian Smith, Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

HOUSTONTexans veteran linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair didn’t practice Tuesday due to a knee injury as the AFC South champions’ began their work week heading into an AFC divisional round game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.

Al-Shaair is expected to play this week.

Recommended Videos



Al-Shaair played all but one play, 98 percent of the snaps against the Los Angeles Chargers as he missed one play Al-Shaair got checked out went right back in the game, finishing out the entire game with six tackles and two quarterback hits.

Starting right offensive guard Juice Scruggs was at practice, but not participating due to an ankle injury. Scruggs is expected to practice this week and play Saturday. He had a foot injury in December that sidelined him for three games. Scruggs played every snap against the Chargers.

Veteran guard Shaq Mason is out again for the Chiefs game due to a Grade 2 sprained medial collateral ligament in his knee, per a league source.

Texans starting linebacker Christian Harris, limited to just seven plays on defense and four plays on special teams against the Chargers and one tackle, practiced Tuesday and was moving normally. Harris has been dealing with a lingering ankle injury, but is no longer listed on the injury report.

“Yeah, Christian is doing good,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He’s working his way back. Again, Christian has missed a lot of football, a lot of time, so we’re working him back in slowly but surely. And Christian is a guy who’s been a team player.

“Whatever we’ve asked him to do, he’s been very diligent with what we ask him to do and wherever and however many reps he gets, he’s going to out and play his hardest, play his best. So, he’s continuing to do what he needs to do to help our team win.”

Texans wide receiver Robert Woods didn’t practice due to a hip injury.

The following players were limited participation: defensive end Denico Autry (knee), wide receiver Nico Collins (rest) and tight end Dalton Schultz (shoulder).

Defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (hand, elbow) participated fully, as did offensive lineman Nick Broeker (hand) and tight end Teagan Quitoriano (calf).

The Texans are signing wide receiver Jared Wayne from the practice squad to the 53-man roster after cutting disgruntled veteran wide receiver Diontae Johnson, per a league source.

The Texans may activate Quitoriano from injured reserve-designated for return. Rookie tight end Cade Stover broke his collarbone, per a league source. He will undergo surgery and was placed on injured reserve, ending his season.

Four ways to watch KPRC 2+ anytime

  • Search for the KPRC 2+ app on your smart TV or streaming device - including Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, and Google TV.
  • Get the new KPRC 2+ mobile app - which is free to download in the App Store or on Google Play.
  • Look for the KPRC 2+ livestream in the “Watch Live” section of the Click2Houston news app.

READ MORE:

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


About the Author
Aaron Wilson headshot

Aaron Wilson is an award-winning Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and www.click2houston.com. He has covered the NFL since 1997, including previous stints for The Houston Chronicle and The Baltimore Sun. This marks his 10th year covering the Texans after previously covering a Super Bowl winning team in Baltimore.