Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans confirmed that starting linebacker Henry To'oTo'o will miss the team's NFL Week 2 game against the Cincinnati Bengals because of a shoulder injury.
The Texans' depth at linebacker became a concern in June with EJ Speed's quad injury. Speed is out indefinitely.
To'oTo'o's backup, Jake Hummel, suffered a groin injury in the Texans' Week 1 loss to Buffalo. His status for Week 2 isn't known.
Azeez Al-Shaair is expected to start at the other LB position, with rookie Wade Woodaz as his backup.
At the other LB spot, rookie Aiden Fisher is listed on the third team, behind To'oTo'o and Hummel.
The Texans allowed 409 total yards in their Week 1 loss. On "NFL Live," ESPN's Marcus Spears and Dan Orlovsky shared their observations
about Houston's effort.
"If you don't have a linebacker that can cover tight ends, you're probably going to get killed," Spears said.
"It was as bad a second-level defense for Houston as I've seen in two or three years," Orlovsky said. "That linebacker level is usually so good. They were really bad."
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Texans have major injury concern ahead of Week 2 vs Bengals
