Texans’ Steven Nelson didn’t practice Friday for personal reasons, to start against Bears

Houston Texans cornerback Steven Nelson (21) breaks up a pass to Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Ashton Dulin (16) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith) (Eric Christian Smith, Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

HOUSTON – Texans veteran cornerback Steven Nelson didn’t practice Friday for personal reasons and is slated to be back with the team and start Sunday’s road game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.

Nelson has the highest pass coverage grade on the team and has allowed just four receptions for 40 yards on 10 targets with one touchdown.

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Nelson, who previously started for the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers, signed a two-year, $10 million contract this offseason.

Nelson has recorded 10 tackles, one for a loss, and three passes defensed this season.

Nelson has played in 100 career games with 351 tackles, 11 for losses, eight interceptions and 62 passes defensed.

The Texans officially ruled out tight end Brevin Jordan due to an ankle injury along with offensive tackle Austin Deculus along with cornerback Isaac Yiadom (thigh). Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (knee) is questionable, but set to play, per a league source.

Texans starting tight end Pharaoh Brown is set to play Sunday in a road game against the Chicago Bears after undergoing a magnetic resonance imaging exam for a shoulder injury, according to a league source.

Brown aggravated scar tissue in his shoulder from a previous injury when he fell awkwardly in a loss to the Denver Broncos. He’s listed as questionable.

Jordan didn’t practice all week due to an ankle injury. The Texans are expected to elevate tight end Jordan Akins from their practice squad to the active roster.

Deculus (Cy-Fair) is out indefinitely with a foot-ankle injury suffered during practice, according to a league source. He was officially ruled out along

Deculus was drafted in the sixth round out of LSU.

Experienced, durable, and big,  Deculus played in more games than any player in LSU history.

He played in 61 career games in five seasons for the Tigers. He started 46 career games, including a national championship game victory over Clemson.

A four-year starter and former four-star recruit from Cy-Fair High School in Cypress, Deculus played in the East-West Shrine Bowl all-star game. He started 12 games last season and played 829 snaps.

Aaron Wilson is a Pro Football Network reporter and a contributor to KPRC 2 and click2houston.com


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