MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.. -- Texans rookie center Jimmy Morrissey is expected to make his starting debut Sunday against the Miami Dolphins at Pro Player Stadium, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
The Texans had been playing veteran Justin McCray at center since Justin Britt was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.
Now, McCray is expected to line up at right guard against the Dolphins with former second-round draft pick Max Scharping backing him up.
Morrisey is a 6-foot-4, 305-pound center from Pitt who was drafted in the seventh round this year by the Las Vegas Raiders and is regarded as a strong developmental prospect.
The Texans signed him off of the Raiders' practice squad.
Morrisey was a 47-game starter at center for Pitt and was named the Burlsworth Trophy winner awarded to the most outstanding college football player who began their career as a walk-on.
He was a three-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection and a four-time All-ACC academic football selection.
In high school, Huntingdon Valley, Pa., native was an All-Catholic League and All-City selection in Philadelphia and chose to be a preferred walk-on at Pitt over scholarship offers from Lehigh, Bucknell and Colgate.
The Texans' inactives are third quarterback Jeff Driskel, linebacker Hardy Nickerson (concussion), cornerback Cre'Von LeBlanc, linebacker Eric Wilson, wide receiver Davion Davis and former Pro Bowl quarterback Deshaun Watson (non-injury reasons-personal matter).
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