Anderson logged five tackles (three solo), including 0.5 sacks, in the Texans' 34-30 loss to the Cowboys on Sunday.
Anderson and Danielle Hunter combined to sack Dak Prescott for a 9-yard loss on third down right before halftime. The sack set up a 65-yard field-goal attempt, which Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey missed. Anderson played 79 percent of the Texans' defensive snaps in the contest (62).
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Texans' Reed Blankenship: Logs 11 tackles in loss
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Blankenship made 11 tackles (five solo) in the Texans' 34-30 loss to the Cowboys on Sunday.
Blankenship played 73 defensive snaps in the contest, 94 percent of the Texans' total defensive plays. The 27-year-old also played four special-teams snaps in the losing effort. The strong safety's 11 tackles were second to outside linebacker Jake Hansen's 12.
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Texans' Jake Hansen: Leads game in tackles
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Hansen logged 12 tackles (seven solo), including 1.0 sacks, in the Texans' 34-30 loss to the Cowboys on Sunday.
Hansen played 74 defensive snaps in the contest, good for 95 percent of the Cowboys' total defensive plays. The linebacker also played nine snaps on special teams. Hansen sacked quarterback Dak Prescott once while leading both teams in total tackles but it was not enough to stop the Cowboys' offense from securing the Week 4 win.
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Texans' Jaden Crumedy: Set for Week 5
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Crumedy (shoulder) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.
Crumedy was not listed on the Texans' injury report despite suffering a shoulder injury during the Week 4 loss to the Cowboys. The defensive tackle appears to have quickly recovered from the injury and is all set to continue preparing for Sunday's game against the Titans.
Al-Shaair (groin) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
Al-Shaair logged just one limited practice during Week 4 prep in Thursday's session. The middle linebacker's limited presence in the first prep session of Week 5 is a good sign. If the 29-year-old can build Wednesday's start into Thursday and Friday practice sessions, he may be able to dodge any injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Titans.
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Texans' Kayden McDonald: Returns to practice Wednesday
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McDonald (ankle) returned to practice Wednesday.
McDonald is currently on injured reserve, but his return to practice, even in a limited capacity, suggests he could be back before the close of the 21-day window. The 21-year-old is coming off a quality final season with the Buckeyes, amassing 65 total tackles (31 solo), one pass defended and 3.0 sacks.
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Texans' Jaden Crumedy: Dealing with shoulder issue
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Crumedy suffered a shoulder injury during Sunday's 34-30 loss to the Cowboys.
Crumedy exited the game with a shoulder injury in the second half, finishing his day having recorded one tackles, including 0.5 sacks. The defensive tackle's first chance to prove his health ahead of Week 5 will come Wednesday at the team's first practice session of the week.
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Texans' Jaylin Smith: Didn't return against Dallas
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Smith (hamstring) was unable to return to Sunday's game against Dallas.
Smith was injured on special teams in the first half. He entered Sunday having logged just seven defensive snaps across the first three weeks of the season.
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Texans' Kenneth Murray: Evaluated for concussion in loss
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Murray was evaluated for a concussion during Sunday's 34-30 loss to the Cowboys.
Murray recorded four tackles (one solo) before exiting during the second half, and it's unclear if he returned before the end of the game. The 27-year-old struggled last season with the Cowboys, recording 81 tackles (31 solo) over 17 regular-season games, and he was making his 2026 season debut for Houston in Week 4. The Texans will be back in action versus the Titans this coming Sunday, Oct. 11.
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Texans' Jaylin Smith: Injures hamstring vs. Dallas in Week 4
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Smith (hamstring) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Cowboys.
Smith was hurt in the first half while blocking on punt coverage. He headed to the medical tent and was subsequently deemed questionable to return. Smith has primarily worked on special teams this season, so that unit would be most affected should Smith be done for the day.
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Texans' Jake Hansen: Cleared to play against Dallas
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Hansen (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.
Hansen worked through a knee issue during Week 4 prep, but he's been cleared to play Sunday after going through pregame warmups. He's taken on a larger role defensively over the past couple of weeks in the absence of Jake Hummel (groin, IR).
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Texans' Wade Woodaz: Set to start Sunday
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Woodaz is expected to make his first career NFL start in Week 4 versus Dallas, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
After being selected in the fourth round of April's NFL draft, Woodaz played exclusively on special teams Weeks 1 and 2. He then logged his first 17 defensive snaps last Sunday versus Indianapolis, finishing with one tackle. Woodaz will now be thrust into a much more significant role as a starting linebacker in Week 4 due to Azeez Al-Shaair being sidelined with a groin injury.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Ruled out versus Dallas
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Al-Shaair (groin) is listed as out for Sunday's game against Dallas.
Al-Shaair suffered a groin injury in the 19-17 loss to the Colts in Week 3. Head coach DeMeco Ryans stated Wednesday that the 29-year-old is considered "week-to-week," meaning his absence could extend beyond Sunday's intrastate meeting with the Cowboys. As a result, Wade Woodaz (ankle/thumb), who logged a career-high 17 snaps versus Indianapolis, could continue to be more involved.
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Texans' Jadeveon Clowney: Tagged as questionable for Week 4
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Clowney (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus Dallas.
Clowney was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday, though he took a step back Friday. As a result, there is a realistic chance that the veteran will be looking at a third consecutive absence. If that's the case, the door will remain open for increased involvement from Sabastian Harsh and Dominique Robinson. Chris Braswell, who was signed from the practice squad Wednesday, should also receive some snaps.
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Texans' M.J. Stewart: Upgrades to full practice participation
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Stewart (knee) practiced in full Thursday.
Stewart opened the season on the PUP list and was designated to return Sept. 23. He began this week with a limited practice session Wednesday before upgrading to full participation Thursday. Stewart isn't eligible to play this Sunday, but he could make his season debut in Week 5 against Tennessee.
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Texans' Will Anderson: Full practice Thursday
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Anderson (ankle) was a full participant at the Texans' practice Thursday.
Anderson was limited to open the week with an ankle injury, but he now appears to be good to go for Sunday's matchup with the Cowboys. The defensive lineman has compiled 18 total tackles (10 solo), including 4.0 sacks, while also adding both a forced fumble and a fumble recovery over three contests to open the 2026 campaign.
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Texans' Mario Edwards: Placed on injured reserve
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The Texans placed Edwards on injured reserve Wednesday.
Edwards suffered a torn ACL in Sunday's 19-17 loss to the Colts and will miss the rest of the 2026 season. The defensive tackle has been moved to injured reserve and will no longer take up a spot on the Texans' 53-man roster.
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Texans' Will Anderson: Limited by ankle issue
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Anderson (ankle) was limited in Wednesday's practice.
Anderson may have injured his ankle during the Texans' Week 3 loss to the Colts, when he logged seven tackles (five solo), including 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He's been a key piece to the Texans' defense since entering the league in 2023 as a first-round pick, and if he cannot play against the Cowboys on Sunday, then Jadeveon Clowney (knee) and Dominique Robinson would both be in line for more snaps at defensive end opposite Danielle Hunter. Anderson will have two more opportunities to log a full practice and avoid an injury designation for Week 4.
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Ajani Carter: Suspension lifted
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Carter has been reinstated after serving a one-week suspension, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Carter served a one-week suspension during Week 3 as a free agent. Now that the week is up, the cornerback can fully commit to any game an NFL organization may call on him to suit up for.
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Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair: Returns to Sunday's game
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Al-Shaair (groin) has returned to Sunday's game against the Colts, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Al-Shaair briefly left the game due to a groin injury. The veteran linebacker has been cleared to return after being evaluated by medical staff, and Wade Woodaz is on standby in case Al-Shaair needs to leave the game again.
