LONDON -- As the Texans takes the field Sunday for a pivotal football game against the AFC South leading Jacksonville Jaguars, an important piece of their defense will join them.

Texans hard-hitting starting linebacker Henry To’oTo’o is back from a shoulder injury and being activated after being designated for return.

To'oTo'o, signed to a two-year, $17 million maximum value deal in August, has participated fully in practice all week and is now back alongside Pro Bowl middle linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.

“Henry's done a great job of bouncing back from injury," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. "He had a good week of practice so we're expecting to see him out there on Sunday. The business trip-like approach is, it's only one thing on our mind, that's going 1-0. That's the only thing I want our guys thinking about, that's the only thing I want our guys striving and being determined to do on Sunday is going 1-0.”

To'oTo'o injured his shoulder during a 36-31 loss Sunday to the Buffalo Bills.

He was replaced on the first-team defense by reserve linebacker Jake Hansen, a special-teams standout.

Losing To'oTo'o represented a blow to the Texans' defense.

“What Henry brings to our defense is he brings this smart calmness to our defense," Ryans said in August. "He's always in position, always exactly where he should be. You can count on him. You can put a lot on his plate. He can handle things. He can play the Mike and the Will position. He’s a very versatile guy. Henry plays with passion and fire, that rubs off on other guys. To see him play, it's fun to watch him play.

"Henry is a guy that I can always count on. Asking guys to probably change up techniques and put him in those situations where I may want to change some things, Henry is a guy who can take the coaching well and go apply it on the field and put himself in position to make plays for us.”

To’oTo’o is coming off a strong season last year. He recorded 95 tackles, second-most on the Texans’ top-ranked defense last season behind Pro Bowl middle linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, with a career-high 2 1/2 sacks and nine tackles for losses with four quarterback hits.

To’oTo’o, 25, starting next to Al-Shaair, has piled up 261 career tackles, 18 for losses, two forced fumbles and one interception with four sacks before this season.

“Having Henry back is big," Texans All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr. said. "He's a big part of this defense. He brings a lot of juice. He flies around. He hits people. He plays our brand of ball and it's a joy having him back in."

NOTES: The Texans are set to elevate running back Jawhar Jordan from the practice squad.

Jordan rushed for 101 yards on 15 carries last season against the Arizona Cardinals and 53 yards on 15 carries against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Texans running back David Montgomery is sidelined with a groin injury and didn't travel with the team to London. Woody Marks will start and be backed up by Dare Ogunbowale and Jordan. The Texans previously ruled out Montgomery and wide receiver Tank Dell, who's heading into his final week of a 21-day window to be activated from injured reserve next week.

“I think we all saw what Jawhar can do last year when he was able to get an opportunity to get in the game," Ryans said. "He was able to create some explosive plays on a couple check do

wn plays. I remember he had a big run, 50-yard gain on a check down pass. Jawhar is a very fast player. He's been working with us for a while and he's done a good job with his role. His role increases and he gets some opportunities like everyone else. Just want him to maximize those, go play fast, protect the football, play physical and it'll be just fine.” ...

While the Texans will likely operate with some three-linebacker alignments in their 4-3 defense with Al-Shaair, To'oTo'o and Jake Hansen, they'll also use some nickel packages with rookie Kamari Ramsey replacing injured starter Jalen Pitre. Pitre has an AC shoulder joint sprain that won't require surgery, per a league source.

"Kamari, he was able to step in for Jalen, able to go into that nickel spot for us," Ryans said. "He's played safety for us as well. He's a versatile player, smart young man. He's able to learn two positions very quickly. He stepped in there and did a good job for us."

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL insider for KPRC 2 and Sports Talk 790. His YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AaronWilsonSport

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