It looks as if Ed Ingramshould be back for theHouston Texans entering Sunday's must-win game against the Dallas Cowboys.
The Texans' starting right guard is listed as questionable following Friday's walkthrough, though he was a full participant the past two days at practice with the first-team offense. Ingram, who signed a three-year extension this offseason, had missed the past two games for the Texans because of a lingering groin injury entering Week 2 amid practice.
“Getting Ed back should be helpful for us. Ed did a really nice job in our first game," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said on Wednesday. "He did a good job. Ed plays physical, plays with low pads. He can really displace the line of scrimmage really well when he does it the right way.
I’m excited to get him back and just the physical and the physical nature that he brings to the game, his ability to move people would be beneficial for us.”
While most of the focus has been on the return of Pro Bowl wideout Nico Collins, Houston could need Ingram now more than ever, especially since the run game woes continue to grow. In the Week 1 opner against the Buffalo Bills, a combination of David Montgomery and Woody Marks rushed for over 100 yards and averaging nearly 4.2 yards per attempt.
Montgomery, the newcomer to the Texans' offense, set a franchise record with three total touchdowns in his debut. And even in defeat, Texans fans saw a path where the offense could look promising in Year 2 of the Nick Caley era.
Much like with Collins, Ingram's departure on offense has led to far more questions about the long-term outlook for Houston's offense entering October. The run game has been non-existent in the past two games — minus a Marks touchdown run in Week 3 — while the offensive line has allowed nine sacks, three of which were given up by Ingram's replacement Wyatt Teller.
Over the past two games, the Texans have failed to convert running to the right side behind Teller on fourth-and-1 designs. Adding back in the team's best run blocker might not change everything, but it gives Houston a much more promising mauler in the trenches.
"He's a force to be reckoned with. He's gotten better at pass protection," Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud said. "I think he's doing great in the run game, communicating better. I think he's taking a step in this system. He's a baller and I'm glad he's on my team."
Kickoff is scheduled for Noon on FOX. With a loss, Houston will look to become the first 0-4 team to make the playoffs since the 1992 San Diego Chargers.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Ed Ingram injury update: Latest on Texans OL for Cowboys' game
