The Houston Texans are just two practices into this year’s training camp, but they are already having their roster depth tested, with Jake Hansen the latest concern.
Hansen is heading into his fifth NFL season. A former undrafted free agent, he has spent his entire career so far in Houston with the Texans. Hansen has carved out a role as a core special teamer for head coach DeMeco Ryans’ group.
His potential absence further strains the Texans’ group.
Texans’ Jake Hansen Suffers Foot Injury
GettyJake Hansen suffered an apparent foot injury during practice in training camp.
“#Texans linebacker Jake Hansen went down and is being carted off the field,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported on X on July 30. “Couldn’t put weight on leg. Entire team gathers around him in a somber scene.”
Hansen, 28, has appeared in 56 games for the Texans with two starts. He has logged at least a 70% snap share on special teams over the past three years, per Pro Football Reference.
Hansen has recorded 51 total tackles, 2.0 sacks, 1 forced fumble and 1 recovery in his career.
“Seems to be a foot injury,” Ryans told reporters on July 30. “We don’t know the extent of it. Just happened right now. So, we’ll evaluate him and see how he progresses towards getting back healthy.”
Ryans is typically tight-lipped about player injuries, so this may be one of the few updates provided on Hansen.
Teams are not required to provide daily updates on injured players during the offseason/camp.
Moreover, any update that does not require a roster move will come directly from Ryans, who prefers to lean on player privacy in those situations. The Texans could feel the strain of losing Hansen in multiple ways, given their depth has already taken a hit.
Texans LB Depth Tested Early in Training Camp
GettyThe Houston Texans will be without E.J. Speed for some time.
Hansen would be the second linebacker the Texans have lost before the 2026 season if his injury forces him to miss a significant amount of time.
The Texans already saw LB3 E.J. Speed tear his quad during the offseason program.
Houston is fortunate to have avoided losing top LBs Azeez Al-Shaair–who had a hard-hitting interaction with rookie offensive lineman Keylan Rutledge on Wednesday–and Henry To’oTo’o to this point of the NFL calendar.
But they are already getting into their depth, with few proven options behind Al-Shaair and To’oTo’o as currently constructed.
They do have several to choose from, though.
Texans Have Multiple In-House Options
GettyMarte Mapu is one of several LB options the Texans have on the roster.
Jake Hummel and Marte Mapu are the Texans’ most experienced alternatives if Hansen is forced to miss time.
Hummel has played in 58 games, with one start. However, he has also primarily been a special teams contributor during his career. Mapu, whom the Texans acquired in a trade this offseason, has started 10 of the 44 regular-season games he has played in.
The Texans also have third-year former sixth-round pick Jamal Hill, who played in 20 games.
Second-year former undrafted free agent K.C. Ossai has never appeared in a regular-season game, while Aiden Fisher and Wade Woodaz are rookie draft picks.
Veteran Linebacker Goes Down During Texans Training Camp Practice