Texans receiver Robert Woods not practicing, not expected to play Sunday

HOUSTON – Texans veteran wide receiver Robert Woods is not expected to play against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday due to a foot injury, barring an unexpected change, according to a league source.

Woods hasn’t practiced the past two days.

Woods has caught 22 passes for 227 yards and one touchdown on 23 targets this season.

Nico Collins is in the midst of a career breakthrough season with 29 catches for 547 yards and three touchdowns on 42 targets and is expected to be the primary target for standout rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. Rookie wide receiver Tank Dell, who has caught 19 passes for 324 yards and two touchdowns on 28 targets, is back from a concussion and expected to have a solid role in his first game back Sunday.

Woods was signed this offseason to a two-year, $15.25 million contract that includes $10 million in full guarantees and a maximum value of $17 million.

Woods was released by the Tennessee Titans recently. He was previously with the Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills.

A former Buffalo Bills second-round pick from USC, Woods caught 53 passes for 527 yards and two touchdowns last season for the Tennessee Titans. He has 645 career catches for 7,831 yards and 38 touchdowns.

Starting defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins returned to practice on a limited basis from a knee injury that kept him out Wednesday. Rankins is trending toward playing Sunday.

Meanwhile, Pro Bowl left offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil practiced for the second day in a row on a limited basis and the team is using the same offensive line configuration with Tytus Howard at left guard, Jarrett Patterson at center, Shaq Mason at right guard and George Fant at right tackle.

On Thursday, the following players participated fully: Dell, linebacker Blake Cashman (wrist), offensive lineman Josh Jones (hand), linebacker Denzel Perryman (hand), wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson (foot) and nickel Tavierre Thomas (hand).

Offensive lineman Tytus Howard (knee, hand) was limited along with tight end Brevin Jordan (foot) and defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway (calf), Tunsil and Rankins.

Aaron Wilson is a contributor to Sports Talk 790.