HOUSTON – Myles Bryant was promoted to the Texans’ 53-man roster from the practice squad, a move intended to provide depth at nickel with Jalen Pitre out indefinitely with a partially torn pectoral.
Bryant will back up Jimmie Ward, who is the replacement for Pitre at nickel.
Bryant is a versatile player who has lined up at nickel, outside corner and safety.
Bryant is also an accomplished special-teams contributor who returned punts previously with the New England Patriots.
Signed to a one-year, $2.25 million free agent deal this offseason, the former University of Washington standout made a big impression on the Texans coaching staff and personnel department during training camp and made the defending AFC South champions’ initial roster.
The Texans placed tight end Teagan Quitoriano on injured reserve due to a strained calf, per a league source.
They re-signed former starting fullback Andrew Beck to the practice squad. Beck dealt with a calf injury throughout the preseason before being released and signed to the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad before being released. Now, he’s back with the Texans.
Bryant, 26, is a 5-foot-9, 192-pound former University of Washington player.
He enter this season having recorded 200 career tackles, two sacks, nine tackles for losses, four interceptions, 17 pass deflections, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery
A three-time All-Pac 12-selection, Bryant recorded 177 career tackles for the Huskies with four interceptions, three forced fumbles and 3 1/2 sacks.
Bryant went undrafted and signed with the Patriots.
He made the Patriots’ practice squad and was later promoted to the active roster, intercepting a pass against the Rams.
He had a sack and forced fumble in 2021 in a rout of the New York Jets.
Photo: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
Texans Pro Bowl Bowl defensive end Will Anderson Jr. returned to practice on Thanksgiving after being rested Wednesday as a precautionary measure due to a lingering ankle injury that forced him to miss two games.
Anderson returned to play last Sunday against the Tennessee Titans and recorded two sacks.
There is no concern about Anderson’s availability for Sunday’s road game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year is expected to play after starting against the Titans. He played 34 snaps for 51 percent of the overall defensive playing time.
Returning to practice Thursday: defensive end Denico Autry, who played through knee and oblique injuries Sunday despite not practicing all week.
Both Anderson and Autry were limited.
Not practicing again: defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi (foot), who missed the Titans game, and nickel Jalen Pitre, who has a partially torn pectoral muscle, per league sources, and is out indefinitely as he seeks second opinions to determine whether he’ll undergo season-ending surgery or attempt to play again.
The following players were also limited: linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (knee), wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson (shoulder),
Upgraded to full participation: offensive tackle Blake Fisher (concussion) and safety Jimmie Ward (knee), the replacement for Pitre at nickel.