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Texans Can’t Count on E.J. Speed Returning Any Time Soon
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- Texans Can’t Count on E.J. Speed Returning Any Time Soon
The Houston Texans are a defensive juggernaut. Much of that is due to the team's starters, but quality depth has played a huge role in team success of late.
The Texans pride themselves on having the caliber of player to adopt a next man up approach when a player goes down with injury. The front office has made a conscious effort to shield itself from depth related disappointment when backups are called upon to make plays. One player who the team was counting on may take a little while to return after suffering an injury setback.
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Texans' linebacker E.J. Speed fell prey to a quadricep injury. Per head coach DeMeco Ryans , the team is not sure or not willing to publicly state when Speed is expected to return.
ESPN NFL analyst DJ Bien-Aime detailed the situation as the Texans progress toward training camp. Here's what he had to say about Speed's injury timeline and the impact of the injury.
"Speed suffered his injury during spring team workouts after he signed a two-year deal in the offseason that is worth up to $13 million. The base was $10 million, but he could have earned $3 million in incentives. He joined the Texans last offseason on a one-year, $5 million deal after spending six years with the Indianapolis Colts as a 2019 fifth-round draft pick out of Tarleton State.
The former Colt played in 16 games for the Texans last season, recording 62 tackles with three tackles for loss.
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Speed was the third linebacker to pair with Pro Bowler Azeez Al-Shaair and Henry To'oTo'o. To replace Speed, Houston will open up the competition to Jake Hansen , Jamal Hill and Marte Mapu , along with 2026 rookie draft picks Wade Woodaz and Aiden Fisher."
Houston Texans linebacker E.J. Speed (45) takes the field prior to a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium. Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
Speed is not a starter. It's uncertain if he was ever going to be in the upcoming season with Azeez Al-Shaair and Henry To'oTo'o ahead of him on the depth chart. Still, Speed was considered a strong contingency plan if either of the star linebackers were unable to play. At least for the first few games of the season, Speed may not be available to help.
In the big picture, the Texans defense will be fine. For the first few games, when the team plays some of its toughest matchups, depth just may be thin at linebacker. Speed will hope to return to full strength as soon as he can.
