The Houston Texans are rolling into Sunday’s game seriously short-handed, with four key players officially ruled out. Running back David Montgomery (groin), safety Jalen Pitre (shoulder), offensive tackle Blake Fisher (thumb), and safety Reed Blankenship (concussion/hand) will all be sidelined, leaving some massive holes for their upcoming matchup.
Houston’s Roster Is Taking Some Brutal Shots
Losing four key guys, especially in the secondary, is a tough pill to swallow for any team. Montgomery’s absence with a groin issue means a big part of their run game is sidelined. But the real hit comes with both starting safety Jalen Pitre (shoulder) and Reed Blankenship (concussion/hand) out. That’s a huge challenge for the defensive backfield, which is going to have to adapt quickly. Plus, an offensive tackle like Blake Fisher (thumb) being out can absolutely wreck game plans up front. These aren’t just depth pieces; these are crucial players.
Tank Dell’s Long-Awaited Return Is Still Facing Hurdles
Here’s where it gets interesting: wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) is listed as questionable, but the word is he’s *expected* to play. We’re talking about a player whose last game action was way back in 2024, after a gruesome knee injury knocked him out of the rest of that season and all of 2025. That’s a long, long time to be off the field. While it’s great news he’s trending towards playing, that “questionable” tag after so much time away still hangs heavy. Can he truly be 100% after missing nearly two full seasons?
Not All Bad News: Key Players Back On The Field
It’s not all doom and gloom for Houston, thankfully. They’re getting some important pieces back. Tight end Dalton Schultz (quad), linebacker Henry To’oTo’o (shoulder), and tight end Brevin Jordan (foot) all returned to full participation in Friday’s practice. That’s a huge relief, with all three of them officially good to go for Sunday. Their presence definitely helps balance out some of the other significant losses.
So, with four starters out and a key offensive weapon returning from a two-year injury layoff still listed as questionable, Houston faces a real test. All eyes will be on how they manage to patch up the roster for Sunday and if Dell can truly make an impact after such a long time away. It’s going to be a fascinating watch to see if they can overcome these significant challenges.
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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