Sunday was a rough day for the Houston Texans defense. Not only did they give up 36 points to the Buffalo Bills in the season opener, but they also lost top linebacker Henry To’oTo’o for at least the next four weeks after suffering a shoulder injury.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans called it a big loss for the team when speaking to the media ahead of Houston’s Week 2 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
“Losing Henry was a big one for us. He'll miss a few weeks here and that's a big loss for us,” Ryans said. “Henry's done a great job of just being a guy I always trusted, a guy I can count on to be in the right spots at the right time. Guys who are stepping into that role, we just ask guys to go do your job. Do it to the best of your ability and that's for everybody
on our defense. That's all I ask of guys, just be where you're supposed to be, do what you're supposed to do and we'll be just fine.”
To’oTo’o was a huge part of the Texans’ defense last season, playing in all 17 games and recording 95 total tackles, including nine tackles for loss, four quarterback hits and 2.5 sacks. In response to his injury in the opener, Houston has elevated Jamal Hill from the practice squad to the active roster and signed former Dallas Cowboys starting linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. to the practice squad.
Besides Jake Hansen, one of the linebackers who are going to have to step up in To’oTo’o’s absence is rookie Aiden Fisher. Fisher was the Texans’ seventh-round draft pick this year out of Indiana. In his final season of college, Fisher had 10.5 tackles, including 4.5 sacks, 97 total tackles and two interceptions, including a pick-six during the Hoosiers’ National Championship run.
Fellow rookie linebacker Wade Woodaz could also see an increased role, although he is still dealing with a thumb injury he suffered during the preseason.
Veteran Jake Hummel could also see an increased role in the defense while he is out. This is his first year with the Texans after spending last season with the Baltimore Ravens and the three seasons before that with the Los Angeles Rams.
Ryans did not confirm who would start in place of To'oTo'o, but defensive end Will Anderson Jr. might have given fans a bit of an inside look.
" I think Jake is going to step in and do a fantastic job for us," Anderson said Wednesday. "He's been able to go. He's played a lot of ball for us. He brings energy. He plays the right way. He knows our brand of ball and we're all going to go out there and swarm with him and be behind him and he's going to get the job done."
Kickoff is scheduled for Noon on Sunday. The game will be televised on CBS.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans HC DeMeco Ryans calls injury to LB Henry To'oTo'o 'a big loss' entering Week 2
