Speed partially tore his quadriceps and quad tendon during training and will have surgery next week, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Per Wilson, Speed was injured while lifting weights. He's expected to need at least three months after surgery before he can begin rehab, so it's almost certain that the veteran linebacker will miss a significant portion of the upcoming season, though the expectation is that he'll be able to return at some point during the campaign. Speed started nine of the 16 regular-season games in which he played for Houston last season and also was a contributor on special teams. Jake Hansen (chest), Jamal Hill, Marte Mapu and Jake Hummel, along with rookie draft picks Wade Woodaz and Aiden Fisher, are candidates to get significant defensive snaps in Speed's absence.
E.J. Speed: Everything you need to know
Unlock the latest Houston Texans news — direct to your inbox.
Status
QUESTIONABLE - Quadriceps Expected Return: 2026-09-13STATS
E.J. Speed Career Stats
-
Career Stats - TACKLES
TOTALASTSOLO371129242Career Stats - Sacks
SCKSCKYDSTFL2160Career Stats - INTERCEPTIONS
INTPDTD1130Career Stats - Fumbles
FFFRFTD600Tackles
Sacks
Interceptions
Defense Fumbles
-
Career Stats - TACKLES
TOTALASTSOLO211Career Stats - Sacks
SCKSCKYDSTFL000Career Stats - INTERCEPTIONS
INTPDTD000Career Stats - Fumbles
FFFRFTD000Tackles
Sacks
Interceptions
Defense Fumbles
E.J. Speed Game Log 2025
-
-
Regular SeasondefensiveDateOppResultSOLOASTTOTALSACKSACKYDSINTDEFTFL1/4W 38-301560000012/27W 20-160000000012/21W 23-212570000111/30W 20-161230000011/20W 23-191450000011/16W 16-132350001011/9W 36-291230000111/2L 15-180000000010/26W 26-152020000010/20L 19-275160000010/5W 44-10516000009/28W 26-0224000009/21L 10-17112000009/15L 19-20000000009/7L 9-1400000000
Regular Season Totals 23264900012 -
E.J. Speed Player Profile and Salary
Career History
E.J. Speed: Breaking News
Staying in Houston
Speed and the Texans agreed to a two-year, $13 million contract Saturday that includes $7.5 million guaranteed, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Speed joined the Texans on a one-year deal in March of 2025 after spending the first six years of his NFL career with the Colts. His new deal Saturday includes a $4 million signing bonus and ensures that he'll stick around in Houston for the foreseeable future. Speed finished the 2025 regular season with 62 tackles (33 solo) and one pass defense over 16 games, which broke his streak of 100-tackle seasons at two.
Reduced role in Houston
Speed recorded 62 tackles (33 solo) and one pass defensed over 16 regular-season games in 2025. Speed's first season in Houston looked nothing like the trend he established in his final two years with Indianapolis, for whom he posted 102 and 142 tackles in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Houston's top-ranked defense operated mostly out of the nickel, which naturally limits at least one linebacker. Defensive back Jalen Pitre, who brings the physicality of a linebacker, gave the Texans more flexibility at the expense of Speed's playing time. The linebacker played 50 percent or fewer of the defensive snaps in 10 of 16 games. He'll become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason.