Houston now has four linebackers on injured reserve or the physically unable to perform list less than three games into the season. Jake Hummel joined E.J. Speed, K.C. Ossai and Henry To’oTo’o on the unavailable list after the Texans placed him on injured reserve before their Week 3 game against Indianapolis.
Hummel sustained a groin injury in the previous game against Cincinnati and missed six straight practices. The move is expected to keep him out at least four games, including the Colts matchup, Houston’s Week 4 home game against Dallas, road games against Tennessee and the Texans’ game against Jacksonville in London.
Hummel has mainly played special teams and has 150 defensive snaps in his career. Houston’s remaining five linebackers are Azeez Al-Shaair, Jake Hansen, Jamal Hill, Wade Woodaz and Aiden Fisher. Hill recently moved up from the practice squad, while Woodaz and Fisher could see increased work on defense and special teams.
Speed has a significant offseason quad injury that could sideline him for all of 2026, Ossai opened the season on injured reserve, and To’oTo’o injured his shoulder against Buffalo in Week 1. The Texans could add or elevate another linebacker, but Kenneth Murray will not be available against Indianapolis because the team had completed its elevations for that game.