Texans Release Ridiculously Long Wednesday Injury Report Ahead of Week 16

The Houston Texans will be forced to take on the Cleveland Browns in Week 16 with nothing close to resembling a healthy roster. Who didn't practice on Wednesday?

If you can name your favorite player on the Houston Texans, there’s a good chance they found themselves on Wednesday’s injury report.

Just days after putting together one of the gutsier wins in recent memory, beating the Tennessee Titans in their building, 19-16, the injury issues have persisted.

Things may have gotten even worse. Those who assumed rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud would need just a week to recover from his concussion are close to being proven wrong. Houston is rightfully treating its franchise quarterback with care and acting in the best interest of the long-term future, but it seems like he won’t be available on Sunday when the Texans (8-6) host the Cleveland Browns (9-5).

Texans rookie edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. attempting to tackle Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson / © Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Houston’s injury report featured 15 players, eight of whom carried a “Did Not Participate in Practice” (DNP) label. Those are headlined by Stroud, rookie edge rusher Will Anderson JR. (ankle), and tackle Laremy Tunsil (knee). Linebacker Blake Cashman (hamstring), who is enjoying a breakout season, guard Shaq Mason (calf), and safety Jimmie Ward (concussion) were expected DNPs, too.

Tight end Brevin Jordan and receiver John Metchie III both missed practice with an illness.

Wednesday’s Injury Report for #CLEvsHOU ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/grNV1KJunq

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 20, 2023

Of course, rookie receiver Tank Dell’s season-ending injury rendered the pass-catchers less than 100 percent for the rest of the season, but three more were listed on the injury report. Nico Collins (calf) and Noah Brown (hip) both saw limited designations, and veteran Robert Woods was given a rest day.

It’s not yet clear how much of that group will be healthy for Sunday, but it’s reasonable to expect some, if not all, of those receivers to suit up given the stakes of the Week 16 matchup.

On the other side of the ball, defensive tackle Maliek Collins (hip) and linebacker Denzel Perryman (Achilles) were both limited as well.

Alas, there was some good news. The offensive line got healthier with George Fant (hip) being a full participant on Wednesday. Veteran corner Steven Nelson (hand), whose presence would loom large if Ward were to miss time, was also a full participant.

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Houston was able to outlast a middling Tennessee team with veteran Case Keenum under center, but Cleveland offers a much tougher challenge. They too are dealing with injuries, and are now led by Joe Flacco, their fourth starting quarterback of the season. However, an elite defense and head coach Kevin Stefanski’s playcalling prowess have kept them viable as a playoff team in the AFC.

If the Texans are going to assert themselves as such, beating the Browns, no matter how beleaguered, would go a long way.