The Houston Texans have a potential concern ahead of their Week 1 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, as rookie wide receiver Kayden McDonald appeared on the team’s injury report. McDonald was among two players who did not take part in practice, with his absence attributed to an ankle issue.
His reduced participation is notable given his recent trajectory with the franchise. The Texans selected McDonald with the 36th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft after he helped Ohio State win the 2024 College Football Playoffs national championship. Head coach DeMeco Ryans had recently praised the rookie’s development during his first offseason with the team.
Although McDonald is not currently listed as a starter on Houston’s unofficial depth chart, his status leaves a question mark for the upcoming opener. The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander noted that McDonald was the only player missing from the viewing portion of practice.
Another Texans player, Will Anderson Jr., also did not participate in practice, but his absence was listed as a rest day rather than an injury. This distinction highlights that McDonald is the primary player dealing with a physical issue on the current report.
