More injuries could be coming for theHouston Texans entering Sunday's must-win game against the Dallas Cowboys.
According toKRPC2 Sports' Aaron Wilson, Pro Bowl middle linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair could miss Week 4's matchup at Reliant Stadium against Dallas due to a painful groin injury suffered in Sunday's road loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
Al-Shaair, Houston's team captain and the emotional leader, was in and out of the game during the second and third quarters because of a groin issue. He was never ruled out and eventually finished the game, totaling a team-leading 11 tackles on 54 snaps.
Overall, Al-Shaair, 29, played in just 76 percent of defensive snaps. That's uncommon since he's one of four players who often will see 100 percent of the
defensive snaps when called upon. It's why he's once again been the anchor of the Texans' defense at the second level, totaling a team-leading 31 tackles this season.
There is concern, per league sources, about status of #Texans Pro Bowl middle linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair for #Cowboys game due to groin injury that forced him to miss time vs. #Colts while still leading team in tackles. If Al-Shaair is sidelined, #Texans would go with Jake… https://t.co/GF7W2RZKnd pic.twitter.com/BboxZ8fk0g
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 29, 2026
Last year, the Pro Bowler finished with 103 tackles and two interceptions. For his efforts, he was given a three-year, $54 million contract extension in the offseason, keeping him in Houston through
Should Al-Shaair be inactive, veteran linebacker Jake Hansen would take over as the green-dot signal-caller. Hansen is already in the starting lineup as a replacement for Henry To'oTo'o, who suffered a shoulder injury and won't return for several more weeks.
In terms of Al-Shaair's spot on the field, rookie Wade Woodaz, Houston's fourth-round draft pick from Clemson, would start next to Hansen. Last week, he played in 11 snaps as the replacement for Al-Shaair and allowed a touchdown pass to Colts wide receiver Keenan Allen.
Kickoff on FOX is scheduled for Noon. With a loss, Houston would look to become the second team in league history to ever go from 0-4 to postseason-bound, joining the 1992 San Diego Chargers.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans Pro Bowl LB Azeez Al-Shaair could miss Cowboys' game with groin injury
