The Houston Texans can breathe a sigh of relief, even if only slightly, after the latest update on veteran linebacker Jake Hansen.
Hansen, who is entering his fifth season with the Texans, suffered what head coach DeMeco Ryans called a “foot” injury during Thursday’s practice in training camp, and he had to be carted off the field.
However, it appears that the situation is not as dire as it initially appeared.
Texans Get Good News on Jake Hansen
GettyDeMeco Ryans and the Texans got some good news about Jake Hansen.
Hansen has developed into a core special teamer and has even been a spot-starter for the Texans in his career. His injury came in the wake of fellow LB E.J. Speed’s torn quad, which he suffered during the Texans’ offseason program.
With their depth already facing a test, a new update on Hansen suggests his absence could be short-lived.
The news comes in the wake of several tryouts for the Texans on Thursday.
“No immediate signings for #Texans from this workout, per league source,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported on X on July 31. “Team considering linebacker depth after Jake Hansen injured foot. Hansen injury not as bad as it initally appeared, per source, avoiding significant injury. Timetable still being determined for how long he’ll be out.”
Hansen, 28, had 19 total tackles in 15 games as a reserve for the Texans in 2025. He has 84 combined stops, 2.0 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 recovery, and four more than four years into his NFL career.
The Texans have used Hansen sparingly on defense, particularly in two of the past three seasons. He saw a single-digit snap share in 2023 and 2025, per Pro Football Reference.
However, he has logged at least a 70% snap share on special teams in that span.
ESPN’s Jeremy Branham posted, “LB depth, which was already thin, looks like it got thinner” on X on July 30 in reaction to ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime describing the scene at practice after Hansen went down. “A lot of Clowney talk, I want a LB.”
“He slammed his hand in frustration as he couldn’t get up,” Bien-Aime said in his post, while noting the cart coming out to bring Hansen inside.
The Texans do not have to explore external options, but they are getting thinner at LB.
Texans Expect to be Without E.J. Speed for Extended Period
GettyThe Texans will reevaluate E.J. Speed later in the season.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said they were not sure of the extent of Hansen’s injury on Thursday. Wilson’s report is a promising sign. However, the Texans are still down third starter E.J. Speed.
Speed tore his quad during the Texans’ offseason program.
Texans general manager Nick Caserio spoke candidly about Speed and his potential timeline for return at some point.
“E.J. is probably a little bit more longer-term,” Caserio told reporters on July 29 about the veteran, who was heading into his second season with the Texans, adding, “You’ll kind of see where he is later in the season.”
That is one starter and one core special teamer/slash spot starter down for the Texans.
How quickly Hansen can return to the practice field could go a long way toward determining if the Texans rely on in-house options or seek outside help.
Texans Get Encouraging Update on Injured Linebacker