HOUSTON – The Texans are relatively healthy heading into a Monday night road playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Only one player was unable to practice this week and was officially ruled out: reserve running back Jawhar Jordan. Jordan suffered a high-ankle sprain on an unflagged apparent hip drop tackle Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, per a league source.
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Jordan rushed for 193 yards on 43 carries during the regular season, including a career-high 101 yards in his NFL debut against the Arizona Cardinals.
Texans primary running back Woody Marks is completely healthy and off the injury report after dealing with an ankle injury during the regular season. He’ll be backed up by Nick Chubb, Dare Ogunbowale and British Brooks.
Texans standout cornerback Kamari Lassiter returned to practice Friday and practiced again Saturday. Lassiter affirmed he’s good to go for an AFC wild-card round playoff game. He has no injury designation.
This was an expected development considering what league sources predicted for Lassiter going back to last week and what he told KPRC 2 about his status.
Lassiter appeared to have normal mobility, but participated on a limited basis. He is managing lingering knee and ankle injuries. Lassiter didn’t practice Thursday, which follows a trend of him being rested during the week and then playing in the game.
Texans offensive tackle Trent Brown practiced all week after missing two games with knee and ankle injuries and is expected to play Monday night against the Steelers’ formidable pass rush.
“I’m playing,” Brown told KPRC 2 after practice Saturday. “It’s a game for warriors. Just gotta go do some warrior s---”
Brown has no injury designation along with cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (oblique), linebacker Jamal Hill (calf), offensive lineman Tytus Howard (ankle), offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery (thumb surgery), defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (elbow) and defensive end Denico Autry (knee).
The return of Brown, a former Pro Bowl selection, bolsters the offensive line and allows them to play their best five.
The best configuration for the Texans this season down the stretch during this nine-game winning streak has featured Brown at right tackle with Ersery at left tackle, Howard at left guard, Jake Andrews at center and Ed Ingram at right guard.
After practice Thursday, Lassiter told KPRC 2 he’s good to go for the AFC wild-card round playoff game and emphasized he could have played last week in the regular-season finale against the Indianapolis Colts.
“Yes sir,” Lassiter said when asked if he’ll be ready for Monday night. “It’s kind of give and take. In my head, if I can walk, if I can talk, I can play. It’s kind of that gray line between protecting yourself from yourself. And that’s all it was, and I appreciate it.”
Lassiter refused to leave a game against the Los Angeles Chargers despite the knee injury. Lassiter is still working his way back to 100 percent after dealing with multiple injuries this season and still intercepting four passes. The Pro Bowl alternate told coach DeMeco Ryans there was no way he was coming out of the Chargers game, a victory that clinched a playoff berth.
Lassiter recorded 91 tackles during the regular season, seven for losses and 17 passes defensed. Playing opposite All-Pro corner Derek Stingley Jr., Lassiter gets targeted more frequently. He has more than held up in single coverage, allowing 56 catches on 97 targets for 690 yards and five scores with an average passer rating against him of 79.8.
His aggressive tackling style sets Lassiter apart.
“We know what he brings to the table for this defense,” safety Calen Bullock said of his teammate and best friend. “So just not having him out there last game, we knew that it was best for him to sit out and wait for the playoffs. So, we know what he’s about to bring to the table this week.”
The Texans officially designated rookie safety Jaylen Reed for return and he practiced for the second time since aggravating a forearm injury against the Indianapolis Colts and undergoing surgery. Reed was upgraded to full participation and is trending toward being activated for Monday night.
“Excited to have Jaylen back,” said Ryans, who added that they will continue to evaluate Reed throughout the week before making a final decision on his status for the playoff game.
Reed recovered from a broken metal plate inside his forearm that required surgery and is being designated for return, per sources. Reed was named a starter after recording 11 tackles and a fumble recovery against the Buffalo Bills. He got hurt in a road game against the Indianapolis Colts, aggravating an injury he sustained at Penn State.
Reed is a former second-team All-Big Ten Conference selection who has a hard-hitting presence. He had eight solo tackles with one more on special teams against the Bills.
The Texans have until Monday to officially activate Reed. Safety has been a revolving door opposite Pro Bowl alternate Calen Bullock, going from C.J. Gardner-Johnson, cut after a series of behind the scenes issues and not fitting into the defensive scheme, M.J. Stewart, out for season with a torn quadriceps tendon, Reed, then Myles Bryant, benched for missing tackles against the Las Vegas Raiders and K’Von Wallace, who was released and is now back on the practice squad.
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com