Texans injury updates: Ed Ingram back at it while Christian Kirk, Braxton Berrios, Jake Andrews officially out

HOUSTON – When the Texans square off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night, they will get starting right offensive guard Ed Ingram back on the field.

Ingram returns after missing the season-opener against the Los Angeles Rams last week due to an abdomen injury. With Ingram returning, Tytus Howard goes back to his preferred right tackle position. And rookie Aireontae Ersery lines up at left tackle, shifting over from right tackle.

Starting center Jake Andrews remains sidelined indefinitely due to a high-ankle sprain, per a league source. He was officially ruled out Saturday along with wide receivers Christian Kirk and Braxton Berrios due to hamstring strains.

With Andrews out after being carted off the field Sunday in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams, a replacement plan is in effect: installing center Jarrett Patterson as the new starter.

Patterson finished the game, a 14-9 loss at SoFi Stadium, as the first-team center. A third-year pro from Notre Dame and a former sixth-round draft pick, Patterson has started 16 of 23 career games and is regarded as a reliable technician style of blocker.

“Patterson has done a nice job,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Patterson has played a lot of ball for us. He filled in last year. He stepped in. Wherever, guard, center, Patterson is going to give you everything he has. That’s all we expect from him. I’m encouraged with how he plays.”

Both didn’t practice all week.

Backup right tackle Blake Fisher participated fully, but remains on the injury report with a sprained ankle.

Texans All-Pro corner Derek Stingley Jr., who missed a few plays with a sore hip against the Rams before finishing the game and saying after the game he isn’t hurt, practiced Thursday. He isn’t on the injury report.

Without Kirk and Berrios, Justin Watson figures heavily into the replacement plan. Watson had two catches for 27 yards out of the slot against the Rams.

Rookie wide receiver Jaylin Noel is a classic slot receiver with 4.39 speed and good hands. He was named the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year last season at Iowa State before being drafted in the third round by the Texans. He returned two punts for 20 yards against the Rams.

Kirk is the Texans’ No. 2 wide receiver behind Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins and had established himself enough with his route-running skills and hands that teammates called him a “slot magician.”

Acquired in a trade from the Jacksonville Jaguars, Kirk was brought into provide a reliable receiving presence in tandem with Collins. His $15.5 million base salary was restructured into a $14 million signing bonus for salary cap purposes to create $12 million in savings with the addition of void years for signing bonus amortization.

Kirk was limited to 25 catches for 320 yards and a touchdown last season in eight games after breaking his collarbone. He has caught 404 career passes for 5,176 yards and 29 touchdowns.

Berrios caught a touchdown in a preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings. He’s a former All-Pro selection who has 134 career catches for 1,323 yards and six touchdowns with 3,289 return yards and four rushing touchdowns.

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