Houston’s linebacker group will look different in Week 2 after Henry To'oTo'o was moved to injured reserve Tuesday. He hurt his shoulder against the Buffalo Bills, exiting near the end of the fourth quarter and later appearing with a splint. Coach DeMeco Ryans said the injury would keep To'oTo'o out for a substantial period.
The linebacker is projected to miss a few months, beyond injured reserve’s four-game minimum.
Jake Hansen is in line to start beside Pro Bowl linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. Hansen finished the opener in To'oTo'o’s place, playing seven defensive snaps. He has four NFL starts and 391 defensive snaps across his first five seasons. The roster move followed a Monday-night report from Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 and Sports Talk 790 that it was expected.
Wade Woodaz may take the third-linebacker spot and play in the base defense. He logged 22 special-teams snaps but no defensive snaps in the opener while wearing a protective brace after preseason thumb surgery. Seventh-round pick Aidan Fisher could be available for Week 2 after being left off the opener’s active lineup despite being healthy, and Jamal Hill could be promoted from the practice squad.
Houston is also without E.J. Speed, who is expected to miss the 2026 season after a severe quadriceps tear during a May workout, while Jake Hummel is considered week-to-week with a groin injury suffered in the third quarter against Buffalo.
