Jerry

Hughes

In addition to Okudah, the Texans also designated LB Jerry Hughes for return. They now have 21 days to activate both players from injured reserve or rule them out for the remainder of the season. Okudah signed a one-year deal with the Texans this offseason after spending all of 2023 with the Falcons. The former first-round pick totaled 44 tackles in 13 games while breaking up three passes last season. Hughes, who has seen limited work in four games this season has only one tackle.

Hughes will return to play in his 15th NFL season. The veteran pass rusher has spent the last two seasons in Houston, totaling 12 sacks in 34 games. Playing in a reduced role under head coach DeMeco Ryans, Hughes managed just three sacks on 474 snaps, playing on 215 fewer snaps than he did in 2022. He turns 36 in August and will likely be tasked with playing a similar role this season.

Anderson and Jonathan Greenard (ankle) joined Jerry Hughes (ankle) as Texans pass-rushers sitting out on Wednesday. Anderson and Greenard both played in the Wild Card round and were listed as limited participants on Tuesday. However, both were downgraded to DNP status on Wednesday with ankle injuries that continue to ail the Texans’ pass rush. If Anderson and Greenard practice later in the week, they will likely play Saturday against the Ravens in the Divisional Round, while Hughes is more of a question mark, having missed the Wild Card win.

Hughes missed the Wild Card win over the Browns with an ankle issue and now misses the first practice of the week. Will Anderson and Jonathan Greenard both played after being limited with ankle injuries last week, strengthening the Texans pass rush. If he can practice, the 35-year-old Hughes may not be start, but would be useful in containing Lamar Jackson in the Divisional Round against the Ravens.

Anderson was sidelined on Wednesday but returned to the field on Thursday for the Texans. Thursday’s practice will serve as the team’s final tune-up before Saturday’s tilt with the Browns, but KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reports Anderson is “set to play” this weekend. Anderson injured his ankle in Week 14 against the Jets and missed two games before returning for the final two weeks of the season. In addition to Anderson, DE Jonathan Greenard also returned to practice, while Jerry Hughes (ankle) remains sidelined.

Ankle issues continue to plague the Texans’ pass rush as Anderson, Jonathan Greenard, and Jerry Hughes all missed Wednesday’s practice with ankle injuries. Anderson has played through his ankle issue and is the most likely to play against the Browns on Saturday. Greenard and Hughes will need to practice before they can be considered to return for the Wild Card game.

Anderson missed practice with an ankle injury he has played through in Weeks 17 and 18. DT Maliek Collins (hip), EDGE Jonathan Greenard (ankle), EDGE Jerry Hughes (ankle), and DT Sheldon Rankins (shoulder) also did not practice on Tuesday. The Texans have had a banged-up defensive front for a couple weeks now, with Greenard being the only player that missed Week 18. Expect most of them to return to practice later in the week, with a good chance to play against the Browns on Saturday.

Hughes fell to just two sacks last season and has been more of a competent EDGE than a star over the past three years, but he should be a secondary source of pass rush for a team that didn’t really address that during the draft. His 81.2 PFF pass rush grade attests to the fact that he can still bring it. 34 in August, Hughes could be a trade deadline target if the Texans flop.

Hughes is a key player for the Buffalo defense. Last year he earned Pro Football Focus’ 23rd highest pass rush grade among edge defenders and eighth highest coverage grade. He can be removed from the NFI list at any time, but with Hughes entering his age 33 season, his status will be worth monitoring.

Bills also have DT Vernon Butler, S Micah Hyde, LB Matt Milano and DT Quinton Jefferson listed questionable for Sunday. Josh Norman (hamstring) was also ruled out. Hyde’s and Butler’s statuses are the most concerning since both failed to practice on Friday. Newton would obviously have a higher floor if any/all were unable to go Sunday.