HOUSTON – Texans starting cornerback Kamari Lassiter returned to practice Thursday and is expected to have his usual role Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Lassiter has been dealing with a foot injury.
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Several players were back at it Wednesday, too, including middle linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (ankle, knee), defensive end Denico Autry (knee), defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (knee), offensive tackle Trent Brown (broken finger) and linebacker E.J. Speed (knee). All were limited except for Brown, who participated fully.
Texans All-Pro corner Derek Stingley Jr. (oblique) and starting running back Woody Marks (ankle) didn’t practice for the second day in a row. Both could still return Friday and then play Sunday.
Running back Nick Chubb was upgraded to full participation from a rib injury. He returned to practice Wednesday.
Defensive end Darrell Taylor (ankle) was designated for return Wednesday from injured reserve. He was upgraded to full participation.
Chubb missed the Arizona game, but appears to be healthy now. Chubb and Jawhar Jordan, who rushed for 101 yards in his NFL debut Sunday and has been promoted to the 53-man roster took the first hand-offs at practice.
Depth is ultra-thin at defensive tackle after season-ending injuries sustained by Mario Edwards Jr, Tim Settle Jr., and Foley Fatukasi. The Texans are set with starters in Tommy Togiai and Rankins and have an experienced backup in Naquan Jones.
The fourth defensive tackle Sunday is expected to be a practice squad elevation.
The Texans signed Marcus Harris, a former seventh-round draft pick from Auburn, to the practice squad and have three other players they can promote or elevate in Haggai Ndubuisi (6-foot-8, 340-pound international player), Junior Tafuna and Marlon Davidson. Davidson has the most experience. Ndubuisi is the biggest player on the team. And Tafuna, a former Senior Bowl all-star game selection from Utah, played well in the preseason.
Autry has the capability to kick inside and shoot gaps.
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com