HOUSTON – The Texans’ depth at tight end is being tested due to injuries.
Brevin Jordan hasn’t practiced the past two days due to an ankle injury he aggravated against the Denver Broncos.
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And starting tight end Pharaoh Brown didn’t practice Thursday after practicing Wednesday due to a shoulder injury and is undergoing a magnetic resonance imaging exam, according to a league source.
Brown has a previous hamstring injury that sidelined him during part of the preseason.
Jordan played in the Texans’ road loss to the Denver Broncos after being listed as questionable on the injury report.
Quarterback Davis Mills participated fully with a right thumb injury that is not considered an issue, with linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill (neck) and linebacker Blake Cashman (hip) also participated fully.
Defensive tackle Kurt Hinish (foot) didn’t practice along with cornerback Isaac Yiadom (thigh). Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (knee) was limited.
Tight end O.J. Howard would start if Brown can’t go, and the Texans could promote tight end Jordan Akins, a former third-round draft pick who has 114 career receptions, 1,260 yards and three touchdowns, from the practice squad. Akins signed with the New York Giants as a free agent, but was released before rejoining the Texans.
Howard has two touchdowns on three catches and Brown has four receptions for 41 yards, with Jordan contributing three catches for eight yards.
“Brevin is a heck of a football player,” Texans coach Lovie Smith said. “We have a few good football players out, but now it’s about the next guys stepping up. We have a little bit of depth at that position. Akins can step in and do some things. O.J. Howard, when he’s gotten reps, of course he can and we know what Pharaoh can do. We still feel like we’re OK, but we’re missing a good football player right now.”
Aaron Wilson is a Pro Football Network reporter and a contributor to KPRC 2 and click2houston.com