Braden Smith is officially back on the active roster for the Houston Texans. The team announced on Wednesday that they activated their offensive tackle from injured reserve, a move that’s been a long time coming for the big man and for that offensive line.
Smith’s Brutal Week 1 Foot Injury Was a Long Road Back
Think about this: Smith went on the injured reserve list all the way back before Week 1 because of a foot injury. That’s a serious chunk of the season to miss, man. He only just returned to practice last week, so you know the Texans have been waiting for this. They signed him to a two-year deal this offseason, so they clearly saw him as a key piece for their offensive line. Getting a guy you just brought in for a multi-year deal sidelined before the season even properly starts? That’s just brutal.
A Veteran Presence Returns to Bolster the Line
This isn’t just some random depth piece, either. Smith was a second-round pick back in 2018, and he spent his first eight seasons absolutely grinding it out for the Colts. We’re talking 105 starts in 107 games played while he was there. That kind of experience and consistency is huge for an offensive line, and Houston definitely needs that kind of veteran presence. With defensive tackle Kayden McDonald and safety M.J. Stewart already activated in Week 5, Smith’s return is another step towards getting key players back on the field.
So, with Smith back, wide receiver Tank Dell is now the only player left in Houston’s return to play process. Plus, the Texans also signed quarterback Mark Gronowski and wide receiver Bryce Oliver to the practice squad after they were waived from the active roster last week. It’s all about shoring up the roster and getting the best guys ready. Having a proven starter like Smith back in the fold is a massive boost for their protection.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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