The Houston Texans won’t be at full speed on offense Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, but at least one key target for C.J. Stroud will return to the huddle.
Receiver Tank Dell is expected to play against the 3-1 Bills after clearing Friday’s injury report. The second-year receiver suffered a chest injury in Week 3’s loss against the Minnesota Vikings and didn’t play in Sunday’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and rookie tackle Blake Fisher also were full participants in practice, meaning they’ll suit up in what could be a battle for second place among AFC contenders in 2024.
Houston #Texans Friday Injury Report & Game Status Report for Week 5 vs. the Buffalo Bills: pic.twitter.com/1p4sHvohfF
— Houston Texans PR (@TexansPR) October 4, 2024
The addition of Dell should benefit Houston’s passing game. Despite being limited in the first two matchups, Dell caught a season-high five passes for 62 yards against the Vikings.
Everyone, including Buffalo, knows how lethal Dell’s speed is in space after a breakout rookie season. In 12 games, the third-round pick out of Houston totaled 47 catches for 709 yards and seven touchdowns.
Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon is out for the third consecutive game with an ankle injury, according to the injury report. Once again, Mxion did not run drills during Friday’s drills.
Mixon, who broke out Week 1’s win over the Colts, has barely practiced since being rolled upon in Week 2’s victory over the Bears. He returned to practice last week for the team’s walkthrough but was later ruled out early Sunday morning.
Fellow running back Dameon Pierce returned to the practice after dealing with a hamstring injury, but his status is unknown. He’s yet to take reps, meaning even if he was cleared, Houston would probably have him serve as a rotational back at best.
Tank Dell on everything from watching comebacks on the side, another injury, the Bills style of defense and the new threads. #HTownMade pic.twitter.com/iEck3ChUeu
— Landry Locker (@LandryLocker) October 4, 2024
The Texans turn back to a combination of Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale as the lead runners on Sunday. Both scored touchdowns with Mixon sidelined, but each came on passes from C.J. Stroud.
Akers, a former second-round pick, had the best performance in a Texans’ uniform last week after rushing for 53 yards on 13 carries.
Defensive end Jerry Hughes (hip) and Derek Barnett (shoulder) were also ruled out for Sunday’s contest, meaning the Texans could elevate either Kurt Hinish or Dylan Horton to the active roster. Both were cleared to return to practice earlier this week after being taken off the injured list.
Right tackle Tytus Howard also missed Friday’s walkthrough. He appeared on the injury report with a hamstring issue. Should be miss Sunday’s game, the Texans likely turn to Fisher, a natural right tackle who saw reps last week at left tackle after Tunsil left the game in the second quarter.
Kickoff against the Bills is scheduled for noon CT at NRG Stadium.
