The Houston Texans placed linebacker Henry To'oTo'o on injured reserve Tuesday, and he is projected to miss a few months. Injured reserve carries a four-game minimum. To'oTo'o suffered an apparent shoulder injury against the Buffalo Bills, leaving late in the fourth quarter and later appearing with a splint.
Coach DeMeco Ryans had said the team expected him to miss significant time. Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 and Sports Talk 790 reported Monday night that the move was expected. The report was published by sports.yahoo.com.
Jake Hansen is expected to start alongside Pro Bowl linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. Hansen replaced To'oTo'o for the remainder of the opener, playing seven defensive snaps. He has made four starts and logged 391 defensive snaps across his first five NFL seasons.
Wade Woodaz could take the third linebacker role and play in the base defense. He had 22 special teams snaps but no defensive snaps in the opener and is wearing a protective brace after preseason thumb surgery. Seventh-round pick Aidan Fisher could be available for Week 2 after being inactive as a healthy scratch, while Jamal Hill could be elevated from the practice squad.
The Texans also expect E.J. Speed to miss the 2026 season with a severe quadriceps tear, and Jake Hummel is week-to-week with a groin injury.
