Good news is finally on the way for three of the Tennessee Titans‘ top veteran contributors.

Interim coach Mike McCoy did not rule DT Jeffery Simmons, WR Calvin Ridley or OLB Arden Key out when the Titans (1-8) play the Houston Texans (4-5) at Nissan Stadium on Nov. 16 (noon CT, FOX). Simmons has missed two games with a hamstring injury, Ridley has missed three with a hamstring injury and Key has missed four with a quadriceps injury. Ridley and Key practiced each day in the buildup to this game, while Simmons was absent from practice Nov. 12 but appeared in a limited capacity on Nov. 14.

McCoy indicated he’s “optimistic” about his veterans’ chances of playing.

“I’m optimistic about all of them to be honest,” McCoy said. “They all had a great week of prep and work going into it. But like I’ve told you guys from Day 1, we’ll always communicate with them depending on what particular injury the player has.”

McCoy did rule out safety Xavier Woods (hamstring), who hasn’t practiced this week. Woods was spotted getting some individual work in with the athletic trainers before practice on Nov. 14, but hasn’t participated in team activities. Woods’ injury paves the way for more reps for rookie Kevin Winston Jr., to earn more reps. Winston’s preseason injuries combined with the logjam behind veteran safeties Woods, Amani Hooker and Quandre Diggs limited his playing time early in the year.

Receiver Bryce Oliver has also been ruled out. Oliver hasn’t played since Week 2 with a knee injury, but he’s been a participant in practice for the better part of the last month.

Running back Kalel Mullings and safety Mike Brown both had their practice windows opened, the first step toward their activations from injured reserve, but McCoy indicated that only Brown is likely to be activated back onto the roster. Mullings could provide depth in a running back room that’s consisted of Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears and Julius Chestnut. Brown, meanwhile, becomes a bit more valuable of a commodity with Woods’ injury and Diggs’ release. The Titans also added Jerrick Reed II off waivers into their safety room.

Second-year linebacker James Williams Sr. has taken reps as an edge defender and McCoy indicated that it’s possible Williams could be used in that role, complimenting his versatility. Williams was a safety in college who switched to inside linebacker as a pro. He entered training camp in competition with fellow second-year linebacker Cedric Gray for a starting role, but Gray seized that job. Williams has yet to play a defensive snap this season.

Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at  nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on X @nicksuss. Subscribe to the Talkin’ Titans newsletter for updates sent directly to your inbox.