Texans Inactive Report: DE Jonathan Greenard Cleared To Face Browns

Jonathan Greenard is returning to the Houston Texans' defensive line for the first time in three weeks.

The Houston Texans are at near-full strength for Saturday's wild-card round matchup against the Cleveland Browns. 

The Texans listed quarterback Case Keenum, defensive end Jerry Hughes, offensive lineman Nick Broeker, tight end Eric Saubert and defensive lineman Teair Tart as inactive. This means that defensive end Jonathan Greenard is active for the first time in three weeks entering Saturday's contest. 

Greenard, who leads the Texans in sacks with 12.5, suffered an ankle injury during the first quarter on Christmas Eve when the Browns secured the 36-22 victory. 

Houston Texans defensive end Jonathan Greenard (52) reacts after making a tackle during the third quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at NRG Stadium.  / © Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

“It was tough,” Greenard said Thursday. “Especially how it happened. Somebody just falls on you when you’re not even looking. Freak accident. That was more frustrating than anything. But ultimately, I knew that I was going to come back.”

Greenard said he was cleared to return to practice earlier this week and worked his way up to full speed. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans could have him on a rep count, depending on the severity of the injury. 

“I’m excited,” Greenard said. “To go in the playoffs and get a chance to go win a ring is huge. That’s what everybody dreams of to be in this league. I know that’s what I’ve been dreaming of since I got here."

Greenard headlines the returning players, but he's not the only Texans player back. Receiver Robert Woods and Noah Brown are active after missing Week 18's victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Both returned to practice in limited capacity, but were cleared to go. 

Defensive tackles Maliek Collins and Sheldon Rankins are active after being limited in practice. Both played in last week's playoff-clinching victory over Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. 

Potential Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate Will Anderson Jr. is active despite dealing with an ankle injury. The No. 3 pick has been active since Week 17, but has been on a snap count. 

Last week, Anderson played 31 snaps and recorded two pressures. He recorded two sacks against Titans' passer Ryan Tannehill the week prior. 

Greenard returns to a defensive line that struggled to pressure veteran passer Joe Flacco three weeks ago. Houston recorded six pressures and a sack as Flacco torched the defense with a 368-yard performance. 

Pressuring Flacco is essential for Houston to eliminate the potential of Pro Bowl receiver Amari Cooper. In the first matchup, Cooper set a franchise single-game record with 265 receiving yards and two touchdowns. 

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"We need to take away some of the explosives and big plays that we gave up, so whoever is playing for us, that’s going to come back to working our techniques, playing the calls that we’re calling, executing what we need to execute," said Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke. 

For the Browns, kicker Dustin Hopkins, quarterback Jeff Driskel, receiver Cedric Tillman, running back Pierre Strong, offensive lineman Luke Wypler and defensive end Isaiah McGuire were listed as inactive.