HOUSTON – Texans veteran wide receiver Christian Kirk injured his hamstring in practice for the second time this season.
Kirk was added to the injury report Friday and listed as limited. He missed the first two games of the year with a strained hamstring. If Kirk can’t go or is limited Monday night against the Seattle Seahawks, the Texans will lean on Xavier Hutchinson, Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel to complement Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins.
Kirk is coming off his most productive game of the season. Prior to the open week, Kirk caught four passes for 64 yards, including a 47-yard catch where he nearly scored a touchdown on four targets. He has 10 receptions for the season for 109 yards on 16 targets in three games and two starts.
Meanwhile, third cornerback Tremon Smith missed practice for personal reasons. At this point, Smith is still expected to play Monday night.
Two players designated for return participated fully again and could be activated, especially rookie safety Jaylen Reed, along with defensive lineman Denico Autry. Rookie corner Alijah Huzzie is practicing after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament at the East-West Shrine Bowl all-star game. He remains on the non-football injury list.
The Texans are feeling recharged and rejuvenated as an extremely healthy football team following a week off.
The defending AFC South champions are on a two-game winning streak after a winless three-game start to the season.
They look well-rested and ready to go.
“Just go rest, get some time off, do whatever you want to do to your body,” said Texans rookie running back Woody Marks, who attended USC’s victory over Michigan. “Just get it good, then come back and go fresh in your body.”
#Texans All-Pro corner Derek Stingley Jr., (newly-engaged, congrats Sting!) and full-go Wednesday practice after missing some time in recent weeks with left oblique injury. Now, recharged and healthy after bye week @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/C9TrSEvgRb
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 16, 2025
Unlike previous weeks when All-Pro corner Derek Stingley Jr. was limited or missed practice early in the week before returning to play in the game, he’s full-go after the bye.
The newly-engaged former LSU consensus All-American has recovered from a left oblique injury that forced him out of a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He has participated in almost every defensive snap the past two games.
Stingley and the Texans’ top-ranked scoring defense are allowing just 12.2 points per game. They’ll be tested against a Seahawks offense headlined by star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, a potential marquee matchup against Stingley should the Texans elect to shadow him all over the field in coverage, and quarterback Sam Darnold.
Darnold had a dominant passing game against the Texans last season with four touchdown passes and zero interceptions for the Minnesota Vikings.
Rookie corner Jaylin Smith remains on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. Texans general manager Nick Caserio indicated he could return to practice in the next week or two.
Safety Jimmie Ward remains on the reserve-physically unable to perform list after undergoing two offseason foot surgeries.
Tight end Cade Stover (broken foot), wide receiver Justin Watson (calf-Achilles), defensive tackle Kurt Hinish (arthroscopic knee surgery) remain on injured reserve.
“Reed and Autry started practicing here last week,” Caserio said. “I would say they’re probably closer to playing than some others.We have some depth off the roster in some different categories. At some point when those players are available, the expectation is they’re going to be ready to go here at some point to be able to help the team.”
Although Stingley missed time during the week before returning to practice, he intercepted a pass against the Tennessee Titans
“It take a lot to get me off of the field,” Stingley said.
Stingley played 94 percent of the Texans’ defensive snaps, delivering a gritty performance.
“Stingley comes back, he was battling all week just to be able to be out there and he toughed through it,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He was able to be out there and not just be there but be productive. He was able to intercept the football for us to change the game.”
Signed to a contract extension in the offseason that includes $90 million in new money, Stingley read the play alertly when Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward’s pass was deflected.
He intercepted the 13th pass of his career.
“Right in the right place,” Stingley said. “Just doing my job. Just being who I’m supposed to be.”
Stingley managed to gut it out despite dealing with the injury and only practicing once last week.
“Every day is important,” he said. “Whether that’s doing stuff on the field, or doing stuff in other places.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com
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