The NFL season opener brought another significant blow to the Houston Texans. Not only did they lose a tough game to the Buffalo Bills, but now they will be without one of their key defensive players for an extended period.
Linebacker Henry To’oTo’o suffered a shoulder injury during Sunday’s 36-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills, and head coach DeMeco Ryans confirmed Monday that the veteran linebacker will miss “some time.”
Henry To’oTo’o expected to miss time
To’oTo’o suffered the injury late in Houston’s season-opening loss and was seen afterward with his left arm in a sling. Ryans did not provide a specific timetable for the linebacker’s return, but the initial update makes it clear that this is more than a minor injury.
The Texans also have not decided whether To’oTo’o will be placed on injured reserve.
The injury is particularly unfortunate for To’oTo’o, who had just signed a two-year contract extension with Houston. He was coming off a strong 2025 campaign in which he appeared in all 17 games, starting 14, while recording 95 tackles, nine tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
To’oTo’o recorded two tackles against Buffalo before exiting the game.
Texans already dealing with linebacker injuries
The loss of To’oTo’o creates another problem for a Houston defense that already has several injuries at linebacker.
The Texans have dealt with injuries involving E.J. Speed, Wade Woodaz, Jake Hansen and Jake Hummel, further thinning the position group. Hansen is expected to have an opportunity to take on a larger role with To’oTo’o sidelined, while rookie Wade Woodaz could also see increased snaps.
Houston will need those players to step up quickly. After allowing Buffalo to score 36 points and rack up 409 total yards in Week 1, the Texans now have to prepare for another AFC matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2.
For now, To’oTo’o’s return timeline remains unknown, but Ryans’ “some time” description indicates the Texans should prepare to be without one of their most important linebackers for multiple games.
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