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Houston has depth at linebacker if Christian Kirksey can no longer proceed
HOUSTON — Houston Texans extinct starting linebacker Christian Kirksey returned to put collectively Thursday after fracturing his thumb against the Arizona Cardinals.
He’s expected to take a look at out to work by the damage, which required a protecting club and return to play, in accordance with league sources no longer licensed to talk publicly.
Kirksey didn’t put collectively Wednesday.
The Texans’ defensive signal caller executed 2d on the defense with eight tackles finally of a 31-5 defeat to the undefeated Cardinals. Houston plays the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
Since signing a one-year, $4.5 million contract this offseason to be a part of the Texans after outdated stints with the Inexperienced Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns, Kirksey has started every game this season and has 51 tackles and one interception.
If Kirksey is sidelined, the Texans (1-6) would possible proceed collectively with a combination of Kamu Grugier-Hill, Zach Cunningham and Kevin Pierre-Louis.
It be one in every of the deeper positions on the Texans, a rebuilding team on a six-game shedding drag. Neville Hewitt is another likelihood at Mike linebacker, with Cunningham and defensive coordinator Lovie Smith both pointing to him as a skill replacement for Kirksey if he can no longer proceed.
“We trust guys stepping as much as the characteristic,” Cunningham acknowledged. “Neville, now we trust stepping up as that Mike linebacker, stepping up in that characteristic. I judge he’s going to attain an moral job in there.”
In the intervening time, extinct heart Justin Britt (knee) and offensive guard Justin McCray (ankle) returned to put collectively after being sidelined Wednesday. Texans defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson returned to put collectively from a support damage after traumatic a herniated disc.
Grugier-Hill, who leads the Texans with 5 tackles for losses, used to be praised for his play Wednesday by Houston coach David Culley.
“He’s carried out very neatly,” Culley acknowledged. “He’s been one in every of the leaders on this team. He plays doubtlessly more snaps than any one now we trust on defense attributable to how priceless he’s on particular teams. He’s taking part in very neatly for us.”
