The Texans re-signed E.J. Speed this offseason, but they are now unlikely to have the veteran linebacker available by Week 1. Speed suffered a quadriceps injury during offseason workouts.
Speed sustained a partially torn quad and a partially torn tendon, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reports. The injuries will require a surgery that is expected to sideline Speed for part of the regular season. The Texans have hope Speed can return during the regular season, per Wilson, but no exact timetable is in place yet.
The injury occurred during a weightlifting session at the Texans’ facility, Wilson adds. This would make Speed eligible to land on the active/PUP list to open training camp — a near-certainty after this news — and the reserve/PUP list to open the regular season. If the Texans use the reserve/PUP list for Speed, he would be required to miss at least four games.
Cowboys team doctor Dan Cooper will perform the surgery, per Wilson, who adds a three-month recovery timetable — plus additional rehab — is on track. Speed re-signed with the Texans on a two-year, $10MM deal that included $7.5MM guaranteed at signing. The Texans re-signed Speed shortly before free agency, making him a priority after a 2025 partnership.
Houston gave Speed a one-year, $3.5MM deal to come over from Indianapolis in 2025, and he started nine games while playing 44% of the Texans’ defensive snaps. The Texans have Henry To’oTo’o and the recently extended Azeez Al-Shaair in place as their top two linebackers, but Speed serves as the No. 3 LB. Although he can be classified as a part-time player, the former Colts mainstay’s $7.5MM guarantee reflects his status as a key role cog. Speed will turn 31 next month.
Players activated from the reserve/PUP list do not count toward teams’ eight injury activations during the regular season. But with Speed working as a regular starter over the past three seasons, it is still a setback to a loaded Texans defense (the former Colts fifth-rounder has 41 career starts). Houston did draft two linebackers, bringing in Wade Woodaz in Round 4 and Aiden Fisher in Round 7. Woodaz would stand to have a clearer path to playing time after the Speed setback.
Should bring in Bobby Wagner and Okereke as depth options alongside Al Shaair and TooToo. Keep guys fresh during the game