The Cowboys defense will be limping into their Week 4 contest after the latest round of injuries has added to the walking wounded in their locker room.
They're not the only ones. The Texans could be without their leading tackler, normal green-dot play-caller, and emotional leader Azeez Al-Shaair when they host the Cowboys on Sunday. According to a report from NFL insider Aaron Wilson, "there is concern" that the groin injury suffered by the Pro Bowl linebacker could keep him out of this weekend's installment of the Cowboys-Texans intrastate rivalry.
He did not practice for Houston on Wednesday.
Al-Shaair was in and out of the game during the second and third quarters of the Texans' 19-17 loss to the Colts. He ended up playing 76% of the defense's
snaps (down from his usual 100%) but still finished the game with a team-leading 11 tackles.
The 29-year-old is Houston's leading tackler through three games of 2026, with 31.
#Texans Azeez Al-Shaair kept touching left leg as he limped to blue medical tent@KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/8tlMgbbVYr
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 27, 2026
If Al-Shaair cannot suit up on Sunday, Jake Hansen figures to take over as the Texans' defensive signal-caller; Hansen is already filling in for Henry To'oTo'o, who is on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. Al-Shaair's middle linebacker spot would likely go to fourth-round rookie Wade Woodaz. Woodaz subbed in for Al-Shaair on 11 snaps last week and allowed a touchdown pass to Indianapolis wide receiver Keenan Allen.
Al-Shaair signed a three-year contract extension worth $54 million in April.
The Texans are 0-3 to start the season.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys' Week 4 opponent could be without defensive playcaller, leading tackler
