The Houston Texans will have five linebackers on their 53-man roster after placing Jake Hummel on injured reserve with a groin injury. Hummel missed six straight practices and will be sidelined for at least four games, including the Week 3 matchup with Indianapolis, a Week 4 home game against Dallas, road games against Tennessee and a game against Jacksonville in London.
Hummel’s placement gives Houston four linebackers on injured reserve or the physically unable to perform list before the season reaches three games. E.J. Speed is dealing with a significant offseason quad injury that could keep him out for all of 2026.
K.C. Ossai opened the season on injured reserve, while Henry To’oTo’o went on the list after hurting his shoulder in the fourth quarter against Buffalo in Week 1.
Azeez Al-Shaair, Jake Hansen, Jamal Hill, Wade Woodaz and Aiden Fisher remain on the active roster. Hummel has mostly played special teams and has 150 career defensive snaps. Woodaz and Fisher, both first-year draft picks, could see expanded responsibilities.
Houston also could add or elevate a linebacker, but Kenneth Murray, the only linebacker left on the practice squad, was unavailable for the Colts game because the team had already completed its elevations.