Texans veteran cornerback Steven Nelson didn't practice Friday for personal reasons and is slated to be back with the team and start Sunday's road game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.
Nelson has the highest pass coverage grade on the team and has allowed just four receptions for 40 yards on 10 targets with one touchdown.
Nelson, who previously started for the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers, signed a two-year, $10 million contract this offseason.
Nelson has recorded 10 tackles, one for a loss, and three passes defensed this season.
Nelson has played in 100 career games with 351 tackles, 11 for losses, eight interceptions and 62 passes defensed.
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.
Tight end Brevin Jordan didn't practice all week due to an ankle injury and is not expected to play against the Bears. The Texans may elevate tight end Jordan Akins from their practice squad to the active roster.
Rookie offensive tackle Austin Deculus (Cy-Fair) is out indefinitely with a foot injury suffered during practice, according to a league source.
Deculus was drafted in the sixth round out of LSU.
Experienced, durable, and big, Deculus played in more games than any player in LSU history.
He played in 61 career games in five seasons for the Tigers. He started 46 career games, including a national championship game victory over Clemson.
A four-year starter and former four-star recruit from Cy-Fair High School in Cypress, Deculus played in the East-West Shrine Bowl all-star game. He started 12 games last season and played 829 snaps.
Aaron Wilson is a Pro Football Network reporter and a contributor to Sports Talk 790.
Photo: Getty Images
Texans tight end Jordan Akins: 'Finishing what I started'
Texans veteran tight end Jordan Akins didn't burn a bridge, never complaining last season when he was frequently inactive for games.
"That's true," Akins said. "You've got to be professional."
After he signed with the New York Giants this offseason, the former third-round draft pick from Central Florida was released by the Giants and then rejoined the Texans on their practice squad.
Akins is considered likely to be elevated to the active roster from the practice squad before Sunday's road game against the Chicago Bears with tight end Brevin Jordan expected to be out due to an ankle injury.
"I'm ready to do what I can to help this team win, whether it's getting a block, help on special teams, just make plays, make some catches downfield," Akins said. "I'm definitely coming back with a vengeance. It's all about finishing what I started. I want to showcase my talent and show this league what I can do."
Akins had 24 receptions for 214 yards on 33 targets in 13 games and three starts last season for the Texans.
He has 114 career receptions for 1,260 yards and three touchdowns, all with the Texans
Two seasons ago, Akins caught 37 passes for 403 yards and one touchdown.
"It all started here, old stomping grounds," Akins said. "Very excited to get back here, new coach, new offense. I'm just happy, very humble. I think the sky is the limit for this team. We just have to put it together and we just got to finish drives."
Aaron Wilson is a Pro Football Network reporter and a contributor to Sports Talk 790.