Al-Shaair had thumb surgery Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
The linebacker is expected to make a full recovery, but it remains to be seen if the surgery will impact Al-Shaair's availability for OTAs. He recorded 103 tackles and a career-high nine passes defended, including two interceptions, over 16 regular-season games in 2025.
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Texans' Denico Autry: Minimal production in 2025
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Autry logged eight tackles (five solo), including 3.5 sacks, one pass defense and one forced fumble across 12 regular-season games with the Texans in 2025.
Autry opened the season on the PUP list due to a knee injury that he played through for much of the 2024 campaign. He made his 2025 debut in Week 7, but he was consistently listed on the injury report due to that same knee issue, which impacted his production and snap count on defense. Autry has accumulated 6.5 sacks across 22 regular-season games over the last two years, which is a far cry from the six prior seasons, when he recorded at least 7.5 sacks in five of those campaigns. Autry will enter the offseason as an unrestricted free agent, and while he'll garner interest from teams as a veteran depth option on the defensive line, it seems as though his best days are well behind him.
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Texans' Folorunso Fatukasi: Ends 2025 season on IR
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Fatukasi (IR, shoulder) tallied eight tackles (five solo), including 1.5 sacks, across four regular-season games for the Texans in 2025.
Fatukasi served in a rotational role on the Texans' defensive line to open the regular season, and he logged at least 0.5 sacks in two of four games before landing on injured reserve in early October due to a shoulder injury. The injury was severe enough that the 31-year-old wasn't cleared to return to practice, and it remains to be seen how his shoulder issue will impact his availability for offseason activities like OTAs and minicamp. Fatukasi is an unrestricted free agent, and as long as he passes his physicals, he should garner interest from teams looking to add veteran depth to the interior defensive line.
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Texans' Myles Bryant: More work in second half of 2025
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Bryant appeared in 11 regular-season games for the Texans in 2025 and finished with 40 tackles (22 solo).
Bryant opened the 2025 regular season on the Texans' practice squad and was signed to the active roster in mid-November after being elevated the maximum three games. He served in a rotational role in the secondary while also contributing on special teams, and he had five games in which he logged at least five tackles. Bryant enters the offseason as an undrafted free agent, and he'll look to join a team where he will have a better opportunity at more consistent playing time.
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Texans' Tommy Togiai: Bigger role down stretch
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Togiai registered 59 tackles (27 solo), including 1.5 sacks, four pass defenses and a fumble recovery for a touchdown across 15 regular-season games for the Texans in 2025.
Togiai served in a rotational role on the Texans' defensive line for the majority of the 2025 campaign, but he stepped into a starting role toward the tail end of the season due to injuries to Folorunso Fatukasi (shoulder), Tim Settle (foot) and Mario Edwards (pectoral). Togiai responded by logging at least four tackles in six of his last seven games (including in both of Houston's playoff games), highlighted by his performance in Week 14 against the Chiefs, when he recorded a season-high 10 tackles, including 1.0 sacks. The 2026 season is currently the last year that Togiai is under contract with the Texans.
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Texans' Kamari Lassiter: Increases production in second year
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Lassiter registered 91 tackles (62 solo) and 17 pass defenses (four interceptions) across 16 regular-season games with the Texans in 2025.
The second-year cornerback played every single defensive snap in 12 of his 16 games in 2025. He finished as the Texans' third-leading tackler behind Azeez Al-Shaair (103) and Henry To'oTo'o (95), and Lassiter finished sixth and eighth in the NFL in pass defenses and interceptions, respectively. Lassiter and Derek Stingley figure to be the Texans' starting outside corners for the 2026 campaign.
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Texans' Sheldon Rankins: Contributes to wild-card win
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Rankins had two tackles, including 1.5 sacks, and returned a fumble recovery for a touchdown in Monday's 30-6 wild-card playoff round win over Pittsburgh.
Houston's defense played a significant role in the win, and Rankins was involved in the key play of the contest early in the fourth quarter. He and Will Anderson collapsed the pocket and sacked Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who fumbled. As the ball lay on the ground under several bodies, Rankins scooped it and ran 33 yards for a touchdown that gave the visitors a 17-6 lead. The way the Texans' defense played, the two-score lead was plenty. Rankins, who plays on the interior of the defensive line, was an unheralded part of the defense during the regular season but did contribute 35 tackles (15 solo) and 3.0 sacks over 17 contests.
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Texans' Ajani Carter: Won't play in wild-card round
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Carter (hamstring) has been ruled out for Monday's wild-card matchup versus the Steelers.
The 25-year-old was designated to return from IR on Dec. 23rd, but he's now been ruled out for the third game in a row. If the Texans advance, they will need to activate Carter by Tuesday or else he'll revert to injured reserve for the remainder of the postseason.
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Texans' Ajani Carter: Draws questionable tag
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Carter (hamstring) is listed as questionable ahead of Monday's wild-card matchup against the Steelers, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
Carter has appeared in only two games this season, most recently due to the hamstring injury. He logged full practices throughout the week, so he appears to have a realistic chance to return. However, Carter will need to be activated from injured reserve Sunday to have the chance to suit up.
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Texans' Jaylen Reed: Full participant in practice
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Reed (forearm) was a full participant in Houston's practice Saturday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
Reed is trending toward making his return after having been designated to return from injured reserve earlier in the week. The 22-year-old has been sidelined for the last five weeks but should resume his role as a special teamer and depth defender if he manages to suit up for Monday's wild-card matchup versus the Steelers.
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Texans' Kamari Lassiter: Full go in practice
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Lassiter (ankle/knee) was a full participant in Houston's practice Saturday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
Lassiter is seemingly healthy again after missing the team's Week 18 win over the Colts due to ankle and knee injuries. The 22-year-old is expected to resume his role as one of the team's starting cornerbacks alongside Derek Stingley for Monday's wild-card matchup versus the Steelers.
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Texans' Denico Autry: Full participant in practice
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Autry (knee) was a full participant in Houston's practice Saturday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
Autry was absent from practice earlier in the week but won't carry an injury designation into Monday's wild-card matchup versus the Steelers. The 35-year-old compiled eight tackles (five solo), including 3.5 sacks, across 12 games during the regular season.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Leading tackler in 2025
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Al-Shaair recorded 103 tackles (48 solo), nine passes defensed (two interceptions), one forced fumble and one recovery over 16 regular-season games in 2025.
Al-Shaair was again the leader of Houston's defense, which was one of the best in the NFL in 2025. He led the team in tackles and earned the highest grades in run defense, coverage and overall performance from Pro Football Focus. The 28-year-old is locked in for one more season and will return as Houston's signal caller in 2026.
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Texans' Henry To'oTo'o: Role unchanged in 2025
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To'oTo'o finished the 2025 regular season with 95 tackles (42 solo), 2.5 sacks, four passes defensed, and a fumble recovery over 17 games.
To'oTo'o, who was a staple in the linebacking crew in 2024 and led Houston with 105 tackles in the regular season, was expected to take a step back in usage this season. That expectation was fueled by the return of a healthy Christian Harris and the addition of free agent E.J. Speed, but To'oTo'o remained an integral part. The Texans played a lot of nickel, which naturally limits one linebacker position, and To'oTo'o along with Azeez Al-Shaair made the cut. To'oTo'o has one year remaining on his rookie contract.
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Texans' Will Anderson: Double-digit sacks in 2025
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Anderson registered 54 tackles, 12.0 sacks, and a touchdown over 17 regular-season games in 2025. He added three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Anderson established a new career high in sacks and recorded a second consecutive season with double-digit sacks. He and Danielle Hunter (15.0 sacks) at the opposite end of the defensive line were a lot for offensive lines and a big part of the Texans' top-ranked defense. Anderson's touchdown, his first in the NFL, came when he strip-sacked Seattle's Sam Darnold in the end zone and pounced on the ball during a Week 7 loss to the Seahawks. The edge rusher is entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2026.
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Texans' Jamal Hill: Full participant Friday
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Hill (calf) was a full participant in Friday's practice.
Hill upgraded to a full participant Friday after being limited in Thursday's practice due to a calf injury he likely sustained in a Week 18 practice. The linebacker missed Week 18 due to the issue but seems set to suit up for Monday night's wild-card matchup with the Steelers. The 24-year-old is set to be the primary depth option at outside linebacker behind starters Henry To'oTo'o and E.J. Speed.
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Texans' Derek Stingley: Full participant Friday
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Stingley (oblique) was a full participant in Friday's practice.
Stingley was able to upgrade to a full participant in Friday's practice after being limited Thursday with an oblique injury he suffered in the Week 15 win over the Cardinals. The starting cornerback has played through the injury since suffering it, managing to dodge an injury designation nearly every week. The 24-year-old is all set to suit up for Monday night's wild-card matchup with the Steelers. Stingley will start opposite Kamari Lassiter (ankle/knee) or Tremon Smith, depending on Lassiter's game-day status.
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Texans' Denico Autry: Upgrades to limited Friday
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Autry (knee) was a limited participant in Friday's practice.
Autry upgraded to a limited participant in Friday's practice after missing Thursday's session due to a persisting knee injury he sustained before the season. Since being activated from the reserve/PUP list, Autry has not missed a game due to the issue and will likely be able to upgrade his practice participation and dodge an injury designation before Monday night's wild-card clash with the Steelers. Autry has one more practice to make this leap, and if he fails to do so, the defensive end's status for Monday's game will be in jeopardy.
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Texans' Calen Bullock: Arrow points up
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Bullock registered 64 tackles (44 solo), four interceptions and one forced fumble over 17 regular-season games in 2025.
Bullock built off a productive rookie season in 2024 and is entrenched on the back end of Houston's top-ranked defense. His biggest effort came in the win over Buffalo in Week 12, when he picked off Josh Allen twice and forced a fumble -- two of those turnovers led to points, and the third iced the Texans' win. Bullock has started all 34 games during the regular season since being drafted in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft and has nine interceptions for Houston.
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Texans' Kamari Lassiter: Misses practice, expects to play
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Lassiter (ankle/knee) did not practice Thursday but said he expects to suit up for Monday's wild-card matchup on the road against Pittsburgh, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.
The Texans seem to simply be taking a cautious approach to Lassiter's health, and he will have two more chances to resume practicing ahead of Monday's road playoff matchup. The starting cornerback missed Houston's regular-season finale against the Colts in Week 18 due to a pair of injuries.
