The Houston Texans made their re-signing of veteran defensive back K’Von Wallace official on Thursday. The Texans also received a double dose of unfortunate roster news. Wallace’s return, just days after his release, comes amid an injury to another player.
Moreover, the Texans’ unfortunate injury luck did not end there.
That still does not overshadow what is arguably the most encouraging development for the Texans’ roster, though.
Plan for Kamari Lassiter Remains in Place
GettyKamari Lassiter #4 of the Houston Texans looks on against the Seattle Seahawks.
The good news for the Texans is that they should get a significant boost on Monday night from the return of someone already on the roster: cornerback Kamari Lassiter.
“#Texans standout corner Kamari Lassiter, who has four interceptions, is expected back for AFC wild-card playoff game vs. #Steelers,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported in a post on X on January 8. “Team will manage knee, ankle injuries this week to get him ready for Monday night.”
Lassiter missed the Texans’ regular-season finale against the Indianapolis Colts.
His return bolsters a secondary that remains in flux amid injuries and returns elsewhere on the back end of the NFL’s No. 1 overall and No. 2 scoring defense during the regular season.
Lassiter and bookend Derek Stingley Jr. are keys on the perimeter to the Texans’ sixth-ranked passing defense. Thanks to the duo, the Texans are one of five teams to have two players face at least 65 pass attempts and a completion percentage below 59% in 2025, per Stathead.
The Texans essentially rested Lassiter to get him as healthy as possible for the playoffs.
Texans Get Bad News at RB
GettyJawhar Jordan #26 of the Houston Texans carries the ball against the Arizona Cardinals.
The Texans found a spark at a key time this season with 2024 sixth-round draft pick Jawhar Jordan. Unfortunately, the second-year tailback is one of the latest Texans to go through that kind of adversity this season.
“#Texans running back Jawhar Jordan suffered a high-ankle sprain against the #Colts on an apparent hip drop tackle Sunday, testing showed, per a league source. Recovery time is undetermined,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported on X on January 8. “Primary back for Texans is Woody Marks, depth Nick Chubb, Dare Ogunbowale and British Brooks.”
Jordan rushed for 101 yards on 15 carries for the Texans in Week 16.
Notably, Ogubowale has primarily operated as a third-down/change-of-pace option, while Brooks is a fullback. The Texans ranked 22nd in the game this season, thanks partly to their injuries.
The Texans are facing the Pittsburgh Steelers, a team that ranked 13th against the run and 29th against the pass during the regular season, in the AFC Wild Card Playoffs. That could lend itself to C.J. Stroud and the Texans’ passing game taking pressure off their rushing attack.
Marks and Ogbunbowale are also assets as pass catchers.
Texans Place DB on IR
GettyKaevon Merriweather #26 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Along with Jordan, the Texans also lost roster depth in their secondary, with safety Kaevon Merriweather.
The Texans announced via the team’s official website that they “placed the following player on the Practice Squad Reserve/Injured list,” naming the former undrafted free agent and ex-Tampa Bay Buccaneers defender in the same release as Wallace’s return announcement.
The Texans still have plenty of time to find the best 48 players for their game-day roster.
Texans Get Critical News on Multiple Players Before Steelers Game