Texans starting tight end Pharaoh Brown is set to play Sunday in a road game against the Chicago Bears after undergoing a magnetic resonance imaging exam for a shoulder injury, according to a league source.
Brown aggravated scar tissue in his shoulder from a previous injury when he fell awkwardly in a loss to the Denver Broncos.
The Texans' depth at the position was already reduced because third tight end Brevin Jordan hasn't practiced this week due to an ankle injury and may be out for the Bears game with tight end Jordan Akins a candidate to replace him.
Brown has four catches for 41 yards through two games.
Jordan played against the Broncos after being listed as questionable on the injury report.
Quarterback Davis Mills participated fully with a right thumb injury that is not considered an issue, with linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill (neck) and linebacker Blake Cashman (hip) also participated fully.
Defensive tackle Kurt Hinish (foot) didn't practice along with cornerback Isaac Yiadom (thigh). Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (knee) was limited.
Akins is a former Texans third-round draft pick from Central Florida who has 114 career receptions, 1,260 yards and three touchdowns. Akins signed with the New York Giants as a free agent, but was released before rejoining the Texans.
Howard has two touchdowns on three catches, scoring twice in a tie against the Indianapolis Colts, with Jordan contributing three catches for eight yards.
“Brevin is a heck of a football player," Texans coach Lovie Smith said. "We have a few good football players out, but now it’s about the next guys stepping up. We have a little bit of depth at that position. Akins can step in and do some things. O.J. Howard, when he’s gotten reps, of course he can and we know what Pharaoh can do. We still feel like we’re OK, but we’re missing a good football player right now.”
Foto: Getty Images
Texans' Rex Burkhead hosting event to benefit Team Jack Foundation
Rex Burkhead first met Jack Hoffman over a decade ago while the future Texans' veteran running back was playing for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Hoffman was diagnosed with pediatric brain cancer and epilepsy when he was five years old after experiencing a seizure.
Burkhead met Hoffman and his family weeks before his second operation to remove a brain tumor.
Hoffman scored a touchdown during the spring game at Nebraska.
"Jack and I met and it was kind of a Make a Wish deal," Burkhead said. "They didn't know how much longer he had. We kept in touch. They came out to practice and it was like having another teammate. Team Jack blew up from there. It's been crazy."
Burkhead later joined the board of the Team Jack Foundation, which is devoted to raising funds and awareness for pediatric brain cancer, changing the outcome of children's lives. The charitable foundation has raised nearly $10 million for research since its inception.
"Coming up on 10 years, I've been on the board since early on," Burkhead said. "It is a rare disease. It needs fundraising. It's kind of crazy. The state of Nebraska has one of the highest rates of pediatric cancer. It helps fund many clinical trials. It's a joy to be a part of."
Burkhead is hosting an event for the Team Jack Foundation on Oct. 10 at Top Golf in Katy with proceeds benefiting the charity, Registration or donations available at http://give.teamjackfoundation.org/event/topgolf-or-texans/e402866.
"I'm really looking forward to it," Burkhead said. "Team Jack Foundation is something I've been a part of for a while now. People on the team are coming up to me and asking me, 'Is that the little kid who scored a touchdwon in the spring game at Nebraska? Same kid. Really looking forward to it, raising money for pediatric brain cancer and having the players, having the Texans be a part of it is a real treat. They've reached out quite a bit about it and trying to help any way they can. We've got some golfers on our team. Hopefully, it will be a great night."
Hoffman once experienced a seizure at halftime of the New England Patriots' AFC championship game win over the Kansas City Chiefs, leaving the game before insisting that he and his father return for the second half. He watched Burkhead score two touchdowns, including the game-winning score in overtime.
"Jack's dad started the foundation, he passed away from brain cancer last year," Burkhead said. "He was the backbone of it. We're trying to pass on his legacy."
Aaron Wilson is a Pro Football Network reporter and a contributor to Sports Talk 790.