The Houston Texans placed linebacker Henry To'oTo'o on injured reserve before their Week 2 game, a move expected to keep him out for several months. He left the Texans' Week 1 game against the Buffalo Bills late in the fourth quarter with an apparent shoulder injury and was later seen wearing a splint.
Coach DeMeco Ryans had said To'oTo'o would miss significant time and had not ruled out an injured-reserve designation. sports.yahoo.com reported that the move became official Tuesday after Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 and Sports Talk 790 reported it was expected.
To'oTo'o's absence adds to the Texans' linebacker injuries. E.J. Speed is expected to miss the 2026 season after a severe quadriceps tear during a May workout, while Jake Hummel is dealing with a groin injury suffered in the third quarter against Buffalo and is considered week-to-week.
Jake Hansen is expected to start alongside Pro Bowl linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. Hansen replaced To'oTo'o for the rest of the opener, playing seven defensive snaps, and has four career starts with 391 defensive snaps over his first five NFL seasons.
Wade Woodaz could serve as the third linebacker and see time in the Texans' base defense. He did not play defensively in Week 1 but took part in 22 special teams snaps. Woodaz is also managing a surgically treated thumb injury from the preseason and is wearing a protective brace.
