The Houston Texans moved linebacker Jake Hummel to injured reserve before their Week 3 game against the Indianapolis Colts, sidelining him for at least four games because of a groin injury suffered against Cincinnati. Hummel missed six straight practices before the move.
His absence covers the Colts game, Houston’s Week 4 home meeting with the Dallas Cowboys, and road games against the Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. The move leaves four Texans linebackers on injured reserve or the physically unable to perform list less than three games into the season.
E.J. Speed has a significant quad injury from the offseason that could keep him out for all of 2026. K.C. Ossai opened the season on injured reserve, while Henry To’oTo’o went there after a shoulder injury in the fourth quarter against Buffalo in Week 1.
Hummel has mainly played special teams and has 150 career defensive snaps. Houston’s remaining 53-man-roster linebackers are Azeez Al-Shaair, Jake Hansen, Jamal Hill, Wade Woodaz and Aiden Fisher. Hill recently moved up from the practice squad, and first-year draft picks Woodaz and Fisher could see larger roles.
The Texans could add or elevate another linebacker, with former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Kenneth Murray remaining on the practice squad. Murray was unavailable for the Colts game because Houston had completed its elevations. The report was published by SI.com.
