HOUSTON – Half of the Texans’ starting defensive line returned to practice Friday morning heading into Sunday’s pivotal AFC South game against the Tennessee Titans.
Rookie standout defensive end Will Anderson Jr., out the past two games after suffering a high-ankle sprain in the fourth quarter against the New York Jets, returned to practice with his ankle taped up and was running around during drills.
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Veteran defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins returned to practice after missing practice Wednesday and Thursday with an ankle injury.
Anderson and Rankins are trending toward playing Sunday against the Titans, per league sources.
Meanwhile, the Texans officially ruled out defensive end Jonathan Greenard due to an ankle injury. Greenard got hurt against the Cleveland Browns and didn’t practice all week. He was not expected to be able to play this week.
Greenard leads the Texans with 12 1/2 sacks.
Anderson has been out of a protective walking boot for over a week.
Drafted third overall out of Alabama, Anderson has has 42 tackles, five sacks, eight tackles for losses and 19 quarterback hits with27 pressures.
“Will has made some strides,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Wednesday. “He’s moving in the right direction. He’s out working out. We’ll see what he can tolerate. We’re very hopeful to get Will back. He’s been a big part of what we’ve done on defense. It would be great to have him back.”
Texans starting cornerback Steven Nelson (foot, hamstring, hand) is questionable. He’s regarded as a game-time decision. Nelson ranks second on the team with four interceptions behind cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., who has five interceptions and is a Pro Bowl candidate.
Texans defensive tackle Maliek Collins didn’t practice all week due to a hip injury and is listed as questionable. He’s regarded as a game-time decision, too.
Fullback Andrew Beck (calf) is questionable,
Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud (concussion) has no injury designation and will start Sunday after missing two games.
Starting linebackers Blake Cashman and Denzel Perryman and wide receiver Nico Collins have no injury designations.
This is Cashman’s first game back since straining his hamstring against the New York Jets, the same game that Anderson Jr. and Stroud got hurt.
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com