The Houston Texans enter Sunday's matchup against the Cleveland Browns banged up.
Not the ideal plan for a team looking to get back in the hunt for a AFC Playoff bid.
Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter and Pro Bowl linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair headline the list of Texans players who will not suit up for Sunday's matchup against Deshaun Watson and the AFC North franchise. Hunter, Houston's No. 2 pass-rusher, is dealing with a hamstring issue, while Al-Shaair suffered a groin injury and did not practice all week.
Other names out include starting left guard Keylan Rutledge, wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and tight end Brevin Jordan. The main issue here is Rutledge, who has started every game this season after being drafted out of Georgia Tech
in the first round last April.
Moving forward, Houston plans to start fourth-round pick Febechi Nwaiwu at left guard in place of Rutledge.
Houston #Texans Friday Injury Report & Game Status Report for Week 10 at the Cleveland Browns: pic.twitter.com/qrw9og0Fa0
— Houston Texans PR (@TexansPR) November 13, 2026
"When you start to get it all thrown at you and then you start to hone in a little bit like we have with those guys, it really, you start to see the big picture and you can have the flexibility positionally to move around," Texans' offensive coordinator Nick Caley said Thursday. "He's done a really good job of that. He's smart, he's sharp, he works hard."
The Texans' pass rush will take a hit following Hunter's injury. Last week, Houston put together its best game attacking quarterbacks, totaling eight sacks and 12 tackles for loss against the Los Angeles Chargers. Hunter didn't record a sack, but at any point in the season, he's destined to break out for a game to remember.
While Hunter is out, All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr.'s status is up in the air. Anderson, who also missed practice Friday, was listed as questionable on the final injury report with an ankle injury. He practiced on Thursday, but was listed as a limited participant.
Running back David Montgomery, who hasn't played since the Texans' win over the Tennessee Titans last month with a groin injury, is listed as questionable after finally returning to practice this week.
Kickoff from Cleveland is scheduled for Noon on FOX.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans injury update: Four starters out for Houston in Week 10 matchup vs. Browns
