The Houston Texans have officially ruled out rookie left tackle Aireontae Ersery for their upcoming road game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Ersery underwent surgery on December 24, 2025, for a broken and dislocated thumb, with metal hardware inserted to aid his recovery. Although he returned to practice on a limited basis on Thursday, he has been deemed unfit to play.
In Ersery’s absence, Blake Fisher will step in as the starting left tackle. Fisher, a former second-round draft pick, has experience from his days at Notre Dame where he earned All-American honors. He previously filled in for Ersery during the Texans’ game against the Las Vegas Raiders, contributing to the team’s success.
The Texans are also dealing with multiple injuries on their offensive line. Trent Brown has been ruled out due to knee and ankle issues, while Tytus Howard is expected to shift to right tackle in his place. Jarrett Patterson will step in at left guard to accommodate Howard’s move. The Texans have also ruled out linebacker Jamal Hill due to calf and wrist injuries.
Fisher expressed confidence in his ability to perform effectively, stating, “It feels good… I’m really confident and really comfortable with the techniques and stuff I’ve been taught.” He emphasized the importance of being physically prepared and executing proper techniques on the field.
The Texans’ coaching staff remains optimistic despite the challenges. Head coach DeMeco Ryans acknowledged the team’s injury struggles but is hopeful about their roster’s depth. “Everybody knows we’re banged up at tackle… We’ll see how that pans out for us,” he said.
The Texans recently secured a narrow victory against the Raiders, improving their record to 10-5 and maintaining their position in the AFC playoff standings. The team’s rushing game, however, has faced difficulties, with only 83 yards gained on 26 carries against the Raiders. Ryans noted, “The main thing is we couldn’t run the football… If we control the line of scrimmage better, we can sustain drives a little bit better.”
In other roster updates, starting running back Woody Marks returned to practice after missing a game due to an ankle injury. His presence adds depth to the Texans’ backfield, which previously relied on Jawhar Jordan and Nick Chubb during his absence.
Additionally, Pro Bowl linebacker and team captain Azeez Al-Shaair returned to practice on a limited basis following knee and ankle injuries that sidelined him for the Raiders game. His experience and leadership will be crucial as the Texans prepare for their next matchup.
Looking ahead, the Texans aim to leverage their versatile players and maintain their momentum as they face the Chargers on Saturday. With critical games ahead, the team is focused on overcoming their injury challenges and securing their playoff spot.
