
Mandatory Credit: Photo by David J Phillip/AP/Shutterstock (13057114bu) Houston Texans linebacker Christian Harris (48) walks onto the field for an NFL football training camp practice, in Houston Texans Football, Houston, United States – 30 Jul 2022
Smith updates Texans injury and personnel situations
The Texans are hopeful of getting some players back after the bye week.
Monday, Houston Texans head coach Lovie Smith spoke about the potential of getting some players back on the active roster following the bye week.
Smith started with rookie LB Christian Harris, who is working his way back from IR. Harris has impressed his position coach with his speed and ability to learn quickly. Smith said he is eagerly awaiting Harris’ return to the field:
“When you’re on IR (reserve/injured list), you can’t take a rep. It’s not like he’s been out practicing with us. To start the process last week was big, but we only had really one day of practice last week. That’s why each one of these practices is very important for his growth. He’s going to get better every rep he gets, and eventually, he will be out there playing for us. I can’t wait to see exactly when.”
Lovie is optimistic for TE Brevin Jordan’s return:
“We’re hoping. Any of the guys that, first off, you have an injury, we won’t put them out there until they’re ready to go 100 percent. I would go on any of our injured players that come back, what was their role before they went down with an injury. Brevin (Jordan) is a good football player, part of what we’re going to do here. He’ll be in the mix once he can go. This extra day helped us get a better idea of who we’ll have available this coming weekend. We’re a better football team with Brevin on the field, absolutely.”
Smith is also looking forward to Tavierre Thomas and Teagan Quitoriano returning as well:
“I’d go with what your eyes are telling you, but again I’m going to start off with this. We put guys on the field when they’re healthy; they’ve been cleared medially to go. Tavierre (Thomas) has made a lot of progress. Teagan (Quitoriano) has made a lot of progress. We have an excellent medical staff, rehab, that entire group of people, sports performance, that has their hands on our guys. I know that we’re anxiously awaiting to get Teagan back out there. I think he’ll fill a role for us. Tavierre Thomas, it goes without saying what he means to our football team. We’re steadily getting more and more of our players back.”
Lovie was mum regarding WR Nico Collins:
“It was kind of an extra day. We’ll have more to say on Wednesday about that. Is he (Nico Collins) on the injury list? I mean, there’s a lot of things going on. Let’s wait for it, and then we’ll talk about it a little bit.”
Finally, Smith addressed what TE Jordan Akins, recently signed to the active roster, has given the team as it dealt with injuries to Pharaoh Brown and Brevin Jordan and ultimately to Brown’s release:
“I think what he’s done, you said over the bye, but since he came into the building, he’s a threat at the tight end position. He has excellent speed, so he’s a good matchup for a linebacker. He can run as well as any of the tight ends around. He can catch the football too. What he’s brought to us in the passing game, I think, has been pretty good.”