With the Houston Texans designating linebacker Christian Harris to return from the injured reserve, all eyes are set on his status for Sunday’s contest against the Miami Dolphins.
Harris, who suffered a calf injury during training camp, has been itching to return to the active roster. He hasn’t practiced with the team since training camp and has suffered several setbacks since early July.
Second-year coach DeMeco Ryans said that Harris is back practicing, but the team would evaluate his progression throughout the week before electing to officially add him back to the active roster.
“He looks like himself physically moving around,” Ryans said Monday. “He’s missed a lot of football. It’s just a matter of him getting back in and getting those mental reps. Nothing can help you with football except playing football.”
DeMeco Ryans on Christian Harris:
“He looks like himself, physically, moving around” pic.twitter.com/eL6hEAItqw
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) December 9, 2024
Harris’ return comes at an ideal time amid the suspension of teammate Azeez Al-Shaair. After the NFL denied his appeal on the hit against Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in Week 12, Al-Shaair won’t be cleared to return until after Week 17’s Christmas matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.
A breakout player under Ryans in 2023, Harris could be in line for an extensive new contract with stellar play to close out 2024. Last season, he finished second in tackles with 101 stops and secured the eventual game-sealing interception over the Cleveland Browns in the wild-card round.
“Christian at 100%, 70%, 50%, he’s amazing,” linebacker Henry To’oTo’o said. “He’s a freak of nature. But he’s worked so hard to be the player he is now.”
‘Not having Azeez will hurt but we’re moving on to Miami’ #Texams coach DeMeco Ryans @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/4rxQjwQfY0
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 9, 2024
The Texans have 21 days to decide whether Harris can play or not. If he can’t go, Ryans said the team has faith in special teams star Neville Hewitt, who’s filled in at both linebacker roles this season.
“When Neville had to step in for us, I thought he did a really nice job of just being where he’s supposed to be, communicated really well, executed his technique within a defense and he made some plays for us,” Ryans said.
To’oTo’o, who was also teammates with Harris at the University of Alabama, mentioned how the former third-round pick has worked hard to return to full speed before the season’s end.
Expectations are for him to help Houston return to the playoffs and go on another run behind a hopefully improved offensive performance.
“It’s been so long,” To’oTo’o said. “Just to see him day in and day out, he’s been head down, grinding to get back out there.”
