Houston Texans have been handed a concern ahead of their Week 1 clash against the Buffalo Bills after rookie Kayden McDonald appeared on the team’s injury report.
McDonald was one of two players who did not participate in practice, with the rookie dealing with an ankle issue. His absence was particularly noticeable as the Texans continue preparations for their season opener.
Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images
The Texans moved up to select McDonald with the 36th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft after the former Ohio State Buckeyes star helped his team win the 2024 College Football Playoffs national championship.
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While McDonald is not currently listed as a starter on Houston’s unofficial depth chart, his absence still leaves the team with a question to address before facing the Bills.
The rookie had been making progress during his first offseason with the Texans, with head coach DeMeco Ryans recently praising his development.
That makes his reduced participation level particularly notable as Houston gets closer to its opening game.
The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander also highlighted McDonald’s absence during the viewing portion of practice, noting that he was “The only player missing from today’s #Texans practice.”
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The Texans will now have to monitor McDonald’s ankle issue closely as they prepare for their Week 1 matchup.
Will Anderson Jr. was the other Texans player who did not participate in practice, although his absence was listed as a rest day rather than an injury.
That distinction is important with the Texans preparing for their meeting with Buffalo, as the team’s injury report currently points to McDonald as the player dealing with a physical issue.
For McDonald, the focus will now be on whether he can return to participation before the Bills clash.
With the rookie having earned praise from Ryans during the offseason, his ankle issue comes at an unfortunate time as he looks to make his first impression in the regular season.
